Bondi Junction vs Waverley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $324 a year cheaper than Waverley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,715.
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) | $1,465 | $1,789 | -$324 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,207 | $6,531 | -$324 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,662 | $6,662 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bondi Junction | Waverley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $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 — Bondi Junction vs Waverley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bondi Junction costs $324 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,715 in favour of Bondi Junction.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $324 per year. Waverley is 5.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,662 and $6,662 a year, so the $324 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bondi Junction cumulative | Waverley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,207 | $6,531 | $324 |
| Year 3 | $19,185 | $20,187 | $1,002 |
| Year 5 | $32,954 | $34,674 | $1,720 |
| Year 10 | $71,156 | $74,871 | $3,715 |
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 $6,207 per year versus $6,531 for Waverley, a difference of $324 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,465 from Bondi Junction and $1,789 from Waverley to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $71,156 and Waverley costs $74,871 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,715 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.
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Sources: Waverley rates (OLG and Waverley 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.