Bensville vs Davistown, 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 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 two sit within $74 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.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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
Davistown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bensville | Davistown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,908 | $6,884 | +$24 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,800 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,512 | $11,438 | +$74 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,004 | $6,954 | +$50 |
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).
| Dwelling | Bensville | Davistown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Davistown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bensville and Davistown cost within $74 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $848, 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, $7,004 and $6,954 a year, so the $74 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Davistown by $24 a year, $6,884 against $6,908.
- Building insurance favours Davistown by $50 a year, $1,800 against $1,850.
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 high in Davistown against medium in Bensville, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Bensville against low in Davistown, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bensville cumulative | Davistown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,512 | $11,438 | $74 |
| Year 3 | $35,582 | $35,354 | $228 |
| Year 5 | $61,119 | $60,726 | $393 |
| Year 10 | $131,972 | $131,124 | $848 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bensville or Davistown cheaper to live in?
Davistown is cheaper to run by car at $11,438 per year versus $11,512 for Bensville, a difference of $74 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
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.
How does the commute cost compare between Bensville and Davistown?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,908 from Bensville and $6,884 from Davistown to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bensville and $2,400 from Davistown.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bensville and Davistown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bensville costs a cumulative $131,972 and Davistown costs $131,124 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $848 in favour of Davistown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bensville and Davistown 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.
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.