Bardwell Park vs Bexley North: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bardwell Park and Bexley North are both Bayside rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 10.5 km and 11.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bardwell Park runs $317 a year cheaper than Bexley North, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,635.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bardwell Park
Bexley North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bardwell Park | Bexley North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,265 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,082 | $3,399 | -$317 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,195 | $8,512 | -$317 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,499 | $7,499 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bardwell Park | Bexley North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Bardwell Park vs Bexley North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bardwell Park costs $317 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,635 in favour of Bardwell Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $317 per year. Bexley North is 11.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,499 and $7,499 a year, so the $317 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bardwell Park cumulative | Bexley North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,195 | $8,512 | $317 |
| Year 3 | $25,330 | $26,310 | $980 |
| Year 5 | $43,508 | $45,191 | $1,683 |
| Year 10 | $93,946 | $97,581 | $3,635 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bardwell Park or Bexley North cheaper to live in?
Bardwell Park is cheaper to run by car at $8,195 per year versus $8,512 for Bexley North, a difference of $317 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bardwell Park and Bexley North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Bardwell Park (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Bexley North (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bardwell Park and $1,548 in Bexley North. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Bardwell Park and Bexley North?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,082 from Bardwell Park and $3,399 from Bexley North to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Bardwell Park and $2,386 from Bexley North.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bardwell Park and Bexley North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bardwell Park costs a cumulative $93,946 and Bexley North costs $97,581 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,635 in favour of Bardwell Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bardwell Park and Bexley North is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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Sources: Bayside rates (OLG and Bayside rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.