Bondi Junction vs Waverley: 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 and Waverley are both Waverley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.6 km and 5.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bondi Junction runs $335 a year cheaper than Waverley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,841.
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
Waverley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bondi Junction | Waverley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,344 | $1,344 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,515 | $1,850 | -$335 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,257 | $6,592 | -$335 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,662 | $6,662 | - |
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 | Waverley | 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 Waverley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bondi Junction costs $335 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,841 in favour of Bondi Junction.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $335 per year. Waverley is 5.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,662 and $6,662 a year, so the $335 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,344 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bondi Junction by $335 a year, $1,515 against $1,850.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bondi Junction cumulative | Waverley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,257 | $6,592 | $335 |
| Year 3 | $19,340 | $20,375 | $1,035 |
| Year 5 | $33,219 | $34,998 | $1,779 |
| Year 10 | $71,729 | $75,570 | $3,841 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bondi Junction or Waverley cheaper to live in?
Bondi Junction is cheaper to run by car at $6,257 per year versus $6,592 for Waverley, a difference of $335 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 Waverley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,344 in Bondi Junction (Waverley rates (OLG) and $1,344 in Waverley (Waverley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bondi Junction and $1,548 in Waverley. 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 Waverley?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,515 from Bondi Junction and $1,850 from Waverley to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Bondi Junction and $1,920 from Waverley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bondi Junction and Waverley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bondi Junction costs a cumulative $71,729 and Waverley costs $75,570 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,841 in favour of Bondi Junction. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bondi Junction and Waverley 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 Waverley 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.