Bardwell Valley vs Earlwood: 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 Valley (Bayside rates (OLG) and Earlwood (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (10.4 km and 9.8 km).
Bardwell Valley runs $610 a year cheaper than Earlwood, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,993.
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 Valley
Earlwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bardwell Valley | Earlwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,377 | -$112 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,058 | $2,906 | +$152 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $1,920 | +$466 |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,171 | $8,781 | -$610 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,499 | $7,795 | -$296 |
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 Valley | Earlwood | 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 Valley vs Earlwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bardwell Valley costs $610 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,993 in favour of Bardwell Valley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Earlwood carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $296 per year, $7,499 from Bardwell Valley versus $7,795 from Earlwood.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bardwell Valley cumulative | Earlwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,171 | $8,781 | $610 |
| Year 3 | $25,256 | $27,141 | $1,885 |
| Year 5 | $43,381 | $46,620 | $3,239 |
| Year 10 | $93,671 | $100,664 | $6,993 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bardwell Valley or Earlwood cheaper to live in?
Bardwell Valley is cheaper to run by car at $8,171 per year versus $8,781 for Earlwood, a difference of $610 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bardwell Valley and Earlwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Bardwell Valley (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Earlwood (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bardwell Valley and $1,548 in Earlwood. 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 Valley and Earlwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,058 from Bardwell Valley and $2,906 from Earlwood to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Bardwell Valley and $1,920 from Earlwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bardwell Valley and Earlwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bardwell Valley costs a cumulative $93,671 and Earlwood costs $100,664 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,993 in favour of Bardwell Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bardwell Valley and Earlwood 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Bayside rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.