Bohnock vs Cabbage Tree Island: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bohnock and Cabbage Tree Island are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bohnock runs $300 a year cheaper than Cabbage Tree Island, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Bohnock
Cabbage Tree Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bohnock | Cabbage Tree Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,909 | $24,209 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,109 | $8,409 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bohnock | Cabbage Tree Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Bohnock vs Cabbage Tree Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bohnock costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Bohnock.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Cabbage Tree Island carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,109 from Bohnock versus $8,409 from Cabbage Tree Island.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,609 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Bohnock by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Cabbage Tree Island against low in Bohnock, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bohnock cumulative | Cabbage Tree Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,909 | $24,209 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $73,900 | $74,828 | $928 |
| Year 5 | $126,936 | $128,529 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $274,090 | $277,529 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bohnock or Cabbage Tree Island cheaper to live in?
Bohnock is cheaper to run by car at $23,909 per year versus $24,209 for Cabbage Tree Island, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bohnock and Cabbage Tree Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Bohnock (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Cabbage Tree Island (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bohnock and $1,300 in Cabbage Tree Island. 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 Bohnock and Cabbage Tree Island?
Bohnock carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Cabbage Tree Island carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Bohnock and $2,400 from Cabbage Tree Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bohnock and Cabbage Tree Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bohnock costs a cumulative $274,090 and Cabbage Tree Island costs $277,529 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Bohnock. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bohnock and Cabbage Tree Island 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.