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Council rates: 2026-27 · Water: 2026-27 where published, otherwise estimated · Commute: ATO 2026-27 · Sources: council budgets, water utilities, ATO, ABS

Bensville vs Bouddi, true annual running costs compared 2026

Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks

Bensville and Bouddi are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 44.3 km and 42.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

The verdict
Bensville and Bouddi cost about the same to live in

The two sit within $256 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.

$256difference per year
$2,935over 10 years
home insurancebiggest cost driver

Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,900, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.

Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →

Bensville

2251 · Central Coast rates (OLG · 44.3 km from CBD
$11,512
Total annual cost (driving)
Includes estimated insurance, excludes electricity
Public transport total$7,004
School score7.0/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Bouddi

2251 · Central Coast rates (OLG · 42.9 km from CBD
$11,256
Total annual cost (driving)
Includes estimated insurance, excludes electricity
Public transport total$6,704
School score7.0/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryBensvilleBouddiDifference
Council rates Official, 2026-27$1,454$1,454-
Water & sewerage Estimated$1,300$1,300-
Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27$6,908$6,952-$44
Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27$2,400$2,400-
Home insurance Estimated$1,850$1,550+$300
Body corporate (unit) Estimated$2,100$2,100-
Total (driving)$11,512$11,256+$256
Total (public transport)$7,004$6,704+$300

Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingBensvilleBouddiDifference
House$2,342$2,342-
Unit$1,909$1,909-

Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Cost breakdown chart

Annual cost breakdown, Bensville vs Bouddi (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Bensville and Bouddi differ by $256 a year by car, but $300 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $44, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.

The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Bensville carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.

On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,004 from Bensville versus $6,704 from Bouddi.

Where the difference actually comes from

Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.

Flood risk is rated medium in Bensville against low in Bouddi, which feeds the insurance estimate.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearBensville cumulativeBouddi cumulativeDifference
Year 1$11,512$11,256$256
Year 3$35,582$34,791$791
Year 5$61,119$59,760$1,359
Year 10$131,972$129,037$2,935

Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Bensville or Bouddi cheaper to live in?

    Neither is named cheaper. Bensville runs $11,512 a year by car and Bouddi $11,256, but most of the $256 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $44. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Bensville and Bouddi?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Bensville (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Bouddi (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bensville and $1,300 in Bouddi. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.

  3. How does the commute cost compare between Bensville and Bouddi?

    Annual driving commute costs are $6,908 from Bensville and $6,952 from Bouddi to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bensville and $2,400 from Bouddi.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between Bensville and Bouddi?

    At 3% annual cost growth, Bensville costs a cumulative $131,972 and Bouddi costs $129,037 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,935 in favour of Bouddi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Bensville and Bouddi suits you better?

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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Related comparisons

Sources: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.