Bonnet Bay vs Jannali: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonnet Bay and Jannali are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.3 km and 20.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Jannali runs $1,166 a year cheaper than Bonnet Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,367.
Over 10 years, Jannali costs about $13,400 less to run than Bonnet Bay — the same as paying $13,400 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 →Bonnet Bay
Jannali
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnet Bay | Jannali | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,461 | $5,395 | +$66 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,150 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,876 | $10,710 | +$1,166 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,815 | $7,715 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bonnet Bay | Jannali | 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 — Bonnet Bay vs Jannali (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jannali costs $1,166 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,367 in favour of Jannali.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Bonnet Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,815 from Bonnet Bay versus $7,715 from Jannali.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,617 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Jannali by $66 a year, $5,395 against $5,461.
- Building insurance favours Jannali by $1,100 a year, $2,150 against $3,250.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Bonnet Bay against low in Jannali, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnet Bay cumulative | Jannali cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,876 | $10,710 | $1,166 |
| Year 3 | $36,708 | $33,104 | $3,604 |
| Year 5 | $63,051 | $56,861 | $6,190 |
| Year 10 | $136,145 | $122,778 | $13,367 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnet Bay or Jannali cheaper to live in?
Jannali is cheaper to run by car at $10,710 per year versus $11,876 for Bonnet Bay, a difference of $1,166 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnet Bay and Jannali?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Bonnet Bay (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Jannali (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bonnet Bay and $1,548 in Jannali. 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 Bonnet Bay and Jannali?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,461 from Bonnet Bay and $5,395 from Jannali to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonnet Bay and $2,400 from Jannali.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnet Bay and Jannali?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnet Bay costs a cumulative $136,145 and Jannali costs $122,778 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,367 in favour of Jannali. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnet Bay and Jannali 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.