Bondi vs Coogee: 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 (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 $1,168 a year cheaper than Coogee, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,390.
Over 10 years, Bondi costs about $13,400 less to run than Coogee — the same as paying $13,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Coogee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bondi | Coogee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,344 | $1,723 | -$379 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,875 | $2,214 | -$339 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,617 | $7,785 | -$1,168 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,662 | $7,491 | -$829 |
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 | Coogee | 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 vs Coogee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bondi costs $1,168 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,390 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bondi cumulative | Coogee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,617 | $7,785 | $1,168 |
| Year 3 | $20,452 | $24,063 | $3,611 |
| Year 5 | $35,131 | $41,332 | $6,201 |
| Year 10 | $75,856 | $89,246 | $13,390 |
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 $6,617 per year versus $7,785 for Coogee, a difference of $1,168 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,875 from Bondi and $2,214 from Coogee to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $75,856 and Coogee costs $89,246 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,390 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.
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.