Bondi Junction vs Centennial Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bondi Junction (Waverley rates (OLG) and Centennial Park (Randwick rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4.6 km and 4 km).
The two sit within $192 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. 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 →Bondi Junction
Centennial Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bondi Junction | Centennial Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,344 | $1,723 | -$379 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,515 | $1,328 | +$187 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,257 | $6,449 | -$192 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,662 | $7,041 | -$379 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bondi Junction | Centennial Park | 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 — Bondi Junction vs Centennial Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bondi Junction and Centennial Park cost within $192 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,202, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $379 per year.
On public transport the gap is $379 per year, $6,662 from Bondi Junction versus $7,041 from Centennial Park.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bondi Junction by $379 a year, $1,344 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Centennial Park by $187 a year, $1,328 against $1,515.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bondi Junction cumulative | Centennial Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,257 | $6,449 | $192 |
| Year 3 | $19,340 | $19,933 | $593 |
| Year 5 | $33,219 | $34,239 | $1,020 |
| Year 10 | $71,729 | $73,931 | $2,202 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bondi Junction or Centennial Park cheaper to live in?
Bondi Junction is cheaper to run by car at $6,257 per year versus $6,449 for Centennial Park, a difference of $192 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bondi Junction and Centennial Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,344 in Bondi Junction (Waverley rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Centennial Park (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bondi Junction and $1,548 in Centennial Park. 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 Bondi Junction and Centennial Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,515 from Bondi Junction and $1,328 from Centennial Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Bondi Junction and $1,920 from Centennial Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bondi Junction and Centennial Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bondi Junction costs a cumulative $71,729 and Centennial Park costs $73,931 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,202 in favour of Bondi Junction. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bondi Junction and Centennial Park 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: Waverley rates (OLG and Randwick 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.