Bonville vs Valery: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonville and Valery are both Coffs Harbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.4 km and 17.4 km from Coffs Harbour CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bonville runs $410 a year cheaper than Valery, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,701.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bonville
Valery
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonville | Valery | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,490 | $1,490 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,898 | $4,758 | -$860 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,538 | $9,948 | -$410 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,040 | $7,590 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bonville | Valery | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Bonville vs Valery (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonville costs $410 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,701 in favour of Bonville.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $860 per year. Valery is 17.4 km from Coffs Harbour CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,040 from Bonville versus $7,590 from Valery.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,490 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bonville by $860 a year, $3,898 against $4,758.
- Building insurance favours Valery by $450 a year, $2,400 against $2,850.
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 medium in Bonville against low in Valery, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonville cumulative | Valery cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,538 | $9,948 | $410 |
| Year 3 | $29,481 | $30,748 | $1,267 |
| Year 5 | $50,639 | $52,815 | $2,176 |
| Year 10 | $109,342 | $114,043 | $4,701 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonville or Valery cheaper to live in?
Bonville is cheaper to run by car at $9,538 per year versus $9,948 for Valery, a difference of $410 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonville and Valery?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,490 in Bonville (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG) and $1,490 in Valery (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bonville and $1,300 in Valery. 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 Bonville and Valery?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,898 from Bonville and $4,758 from Valery to Coffs Harbour CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonville and $2,400 from Valery.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonville and Valery?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonville costs a cumulative $109,342 and Valery costs $114,043 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,701 in favour of Bonville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonville and Valery 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: Coffs Harbour rates (OLG and Coffs Harbour 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.