Bellevue Hill vs Bondi Junction: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bellevue Hill (Woollahra rates (OLG) and Bondi Junction (Waverley rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4.2 km and 4.6 km).
Bondi Junction runs $880 a year cheaper than Bellevue Hill, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,089.
Over 10 years, Bondi Junction costs about $10,100 less to run than Bellevue Hill — the same as paying $10,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Bondi Junction
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bellevue Hill | Bondi Junction | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,894 | $1,344 | +$550 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,345 | $1,465 | -$120 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,087 | $6,207 | +$880 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,662 | $6,662 | +$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bellevue Hill | Bondi Junction | 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 — Bellevue Hill vs Bondi Junction (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bondi Junction costs $880 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,089 in favour of Bondi Junction.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $550 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $7,662 from Bellevue Hill versus $6,662 from Bondi Junction.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bellevue Hill cumulative | Bondi Junction cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,087 | $6,207 | $880 |
| Year 3 | $21,905 | $19,185 | $2,720 |
| Year 5 | $37,626 | $32,954 | $4,672 |
| Year 10 | $81,245 | $71,156 | $10,089 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellevue Hill or Bondi Junction cheaper to live in?
Bondi Junction is cheaper to run by car at $6,207 per year versus $7,087 for Bellevue Hill, a difference of $880 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bellevue Hill and Bondi Junction?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,894 in Bellevue Hill (Woollahra rates (OLG) and $1,344 in Bondi Junction (Waverley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bellevue Hill and $1,548 in Bondi Junction. 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 Bellevue Hill and Bondi Junction?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,345 from Bellevue Hill and $1,465 from Bondi Junction to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Bellevue Hill and $1,920 from Bondi Junction.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bellevue Hill and Bondi Junction?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bellevue Hill costs a cumulative $81,245 and Bondi Junction costs $71,156 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,089 in favour of Bondi Junction. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bellevue Hill and Bondi Junction 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: Woollahra rates (OLG and Waverley 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.