Bonnie Vale vs Port Hacking: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonnie Vale and Port Hacking are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 24.8 km and 23.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Port Hacking runs $894 a year cheaper than Bonnie Vale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,249.
Over 10 years, Port Hacking costs about $10,200 less to run than Bonnie Vale — the same as paying $10,200 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 →Bonnie Vale
Port Hacking
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnie Vale | Port Hacking | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,979 | $5,785 | +$194 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,650 | $2,950 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,794 | $11,900 | +$894 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,215 | $8,515 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bonnie Vale | Port Hacking | 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 — Bonnie Vale vs Port Hacking (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Port Hacking costs $894 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,249 in favour of Port Hacking.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Bonnie Vale carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $9,215 from Bonnie Vale versus $8,515 from Port Hacking.
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 Port Hacking by $194 a year, $5,785 against $5,979.
- Building insurance favours Port Hacking by $700 a year, $2,950 against $3,650.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Bonnie Vale against low in Port Hacking, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.8 in Port Hacking against 7.7 in Bonnie Vale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnie Vale cumulative | Port Hacking cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,794 | $11,900 | $894 |
| Year 3 | $39,545 | $36,782 | $2,763 |
| Year 5 | $67,925 | $63,179 | $4,746 |
| Year 10 | $146,669 | $136,420 | $10,249 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnie Vale or Port Hacking cheaper to live in?
Port Hacking is cheaper to run by car at $11,900 per year versus $12,794 for Bonnie Vale, a difference of $894 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnie Vale and Port Hacking?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Bonnie Vale (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Port Hacking (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bonnie Vale and $1,548 in Port Hacking. 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 Bonnie Vale and Port Hacking?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,979 from Bonnie Vale and $5,785 from Port Hacking to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonnie Vale and $2,400 from Port Hacking.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnie Vale and Port Hacking?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnie Vale costs a cumulative $146,669 and Port Hacking costs $136,420 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,249 in favour of Port Hacking. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnie Vale and Port Hacking 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.