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Council rates: 2026-27 · Water & commute: 2025-26 · Sources: council websites, QUU, ATO, ABS

Bensville vs Davistown: true annual running costs compared (2026)

Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks

Bensville and Davistown are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 44.3 km and 44.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

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

The two sit within $73 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.

$73difference per year
$837over 10 years
home insurancebiggest cost driver

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 →

Bensville

2251 · Central Coast rates (OLG · 44.3 km from CBD
$12,434
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$8,154
School score7.0/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Davistown

2251 · Central Coast rates (OLG · 44.9 km from CBD
$12,361
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$8,104
School score6.4/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryBensvilleDavistownDifference
Council rates$1,454$1,454-
Water & sewerage$1,300$1,300-
Commute (driving)$6,680$6,657+$23
Commute (public transport)$2,400$2,400-
Home insurance$3,000$2,950+$50
Body corporate (unit)$2,100$2,100-
Total (driving)$12,434$12,361+$73
Total (public transport)$8,154$8,104+$50

Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingBensvilleDavistownDifference
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 — Bensville vs Davistown (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Bensville and Davistown cost within $73 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $837, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.

The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Bensville carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.

On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,154 and $8,104 a year, so the $73 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearBensville cumulativeDavistown cumulativeDifference
Year 1$12,434$12,361$73
Year 3$38,432$38,207$225
Year 5$66,014$65,626$388
Year 10$142,542$141,705$837

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

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Bensville or Davistown cheaper to live in?

    Davistown is cheaper to run by car at $12,361 per year versus $12,434 for Bensville, a difference of $73 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Bensville and Davistown?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Bensville (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Davistown (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bensville and $1,300 in Davistown. 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 Davistown?

    Annual driving commute costs are $6,680 from Bensville and $6,657 from Davistown to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bensville and $2,400 from Davistown.

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

    At 3% annual cost growth, Bensville costs a cumulative $142,542 and Davistown costs $141,705 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $837 in favour of Davistown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Bensville and Davistown 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.

Free · no spam · built from official council, ATO & ACARA data

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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.