Bohnock vs Old Bar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bohnock and Old Bar are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 248.5 km and 247.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, 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) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,309 | $23,609 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,109 | $8,409 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bohnock | Old Bar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $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 — 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bohnock cumulative | Old Bar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,309 | $23,609 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $72,046 | $72,973 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $123,751 | $125,343 | $1,592 |
| Year 10 | $267,212 | $270,651 | $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 $23,309 per year versus $23,609 for Old Bar, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bohnock and $17,600 from Old Bar to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). 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 $267,212 and Old Bar costs $270,651 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.
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.