Bondi vs Coogee: 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 (Waverley rates (OLG) and Coogee (Randwick rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (6 km and 7.2 km).
Bondi runs $1,179 a year cheaper than Coogee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,516.
Over 10 years, Bondi costs about $13,500 less to run than Coogee — the same as paying $13,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bondi
Coogee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bondi | Coogee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,344 | $1,723 | -$379 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,939 | $2,289 | -$350 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,681 | $7,860 | -$1,179 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,662 | $7,491 | -$829 |
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 | Coogee | 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 vs Coogee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bondi costs $1,179 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,516 in favour of Bondi.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Coogee carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $829 per year, $6,662 from Bondi versus $7,491 from Coogee.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bondi by $379 a year, $1,344 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bondi by $350 a year, $1,939 against $2,289.
- Building insurance favours Bondi by $450 a year, $1,850 against $2,300.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Coogee against low in Bondi, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bondi cumulative | Coogee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,681 | $7,860 | $1,179 |
| Year 3 | $20,650 | $24,294 | $3,644 |
| Year 5 | $35,470 | $41,730 | $6,260 |
| Year 10 | $76,590 | $90,106 | $13,516 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bondi or Coogee cheaper to live in?
Bondi is cheaper to run by car at $6,681 per year versus $7,860 for Coogee, a difference of $1,179 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bondi and Coogee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,344 in Bondi (Waverley rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Coogee (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bondi and $1,548 in Coogee. 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 and Coogee?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,939 from Bondi and $2,289 from Coogee to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Bondi and $1,920 from Coogee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bondi and Coogee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bondi costs a cumulative $76,590 and Coogee costs $90,106 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,516 in favour of Bondi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bondi and Coogee 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 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.