Bohnock vs Old Bar: 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 Old Bar 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 Old Bar, 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
Old Bar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bohnock | Old Bar | 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 | Old Bar | 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 Old Bar (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. Old Bar 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 Old Bar.
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 Old Bar against low in Bohnock, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bohnock cumulative | Old Bar 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 Old Bar cheaper to live in?
Bohnock is cheaper to run by car at $23,909 per year versus $24,209 for Old Bar, 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 Old Bar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Bohnock (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Old Bar (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bohnock and $1,300 in Old Bar. 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 Old Bar?
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. Old Bar 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 Old Bar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bohnock and Old Bar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bohnock costs a cumulative $274,090 and Old Bar 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 Old Bar 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.
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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.