Botany vs Pagewood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Botany and Pagewood are both Bayside rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.8 km and 7.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Pagewood runs $945 a year cheaper than Botany, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,833.
Over 10 years, Pagewood costs about $10,800 less to run than Botany — the same as paying $10,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Pagewood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Botany | Pagewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,265 | $1,265 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,647 | $2,352 | +$295 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,300 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,410 | $7,465 | +$945 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,683 | $7,033 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Botany | Pagewood | 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 — Botany vs Pagewood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Pagewood costs $945 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,833 in favour of Pagewood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Botany carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,683 from Botany versus $7,033 from Pagewood.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Botany cumulative | Pagewood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,410 | $7,465 | $945 |
| Year 3 | $25,994 | $23,074 | $2,920 |
| Year 5 | $44,650 | $39,633 | $5,017 |
| Year 10 | $96,411 | $85,578 | $10,833 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Botany or Pagewood cheaper to live in?
Pagewood is cheaper to run by car at $7,465 per year versus $8,410 for Botany, a difference of $945 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Botany and Pagewood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,265 in Botany (Bayside rates (OLG) and $1,265 in Pagewood (Bayside rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Botany and $1,548 in Pagewood. 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 Botany and Pagewood?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,647 from Botany and $2,352 from Pagewood to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Botany and $1,920 from Pagewood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Botany and Pagewood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Botany costs a cumulative $96,411 and Pagewood costs $85,578 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,833 in favour of Pagewood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Botany and Pagewood 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.
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Sources: Bayside rates (OLG and Bayside 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.