Bondi vs Manly: 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 Manly (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (6 km and 10.4 km).
Bondi runs $3,005 a year cheaper than Manly, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $34,449.
Over 10 years, Bondi costs about $34,400 less to run than Manly — the same as paying $34,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Manly
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bondi | Manly | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,344 | $1,766 | -$422 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,875 | $3,058 | -$1,183 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $2,386 | -$466 |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $3,250 | -$1,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,617 | $9,622 | -$3,005 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,662 | $8,950 | -$2,288 |
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 | Manly | 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 Manly (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bondi costs $3,005 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $34,449 in favour of Bondi.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,400 per year. Manly carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,288 per year, $6,662 from Bondi versus $8,950 from Manly.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bondi cumulative | Manly cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,617 | $9,622 | $3,005 |
| Year 3 | $20,452 | $29,741 | $9,289 |
| Year 5 | $35,131 | $51,085 | $15,954 |
| Year 10 | $75,856 | $110,305 | $34,449 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bondi or Manly cheaper to live in?
Bondi is cheaper to run by car at $6,617 per year versus $9,622 for Manly, a difference of $3,005 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bondi and Manly?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,344 in Bondi (Waverley rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Manly (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bondi and $1,548 in Manly. 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 Manly?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,875 from Bondi and $3,058 from Manly to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Bondi and $2,386 from Manly.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bondi and Manly?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bondi costs a cumulative $75,856 and Manly costs $110,305 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $34,449 in favour of Bondi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bondi and Manly 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 Northern Beaches 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.