Bronte vs Clovelly: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bronte (Waverley rates (OLG) and Clovelly (Randwick rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (6.7 km and 7.4 km).
Bronte runs $1,230 a year cheaper than Clovelly, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,101.
Over 10 years, Bronte costs about $14,100 less to run than Clovelly — the same as paying $14,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Clovelly
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bronte | Clovelly | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,344 | $1,723 | -$379 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,145 | $2,346 | -$201 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,337 | $8,567 | -$1,230 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,112 | $8,141 | -$1,029 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bronte | Clovelly | 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 — Bronte vs Clovelly (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bronte costs $1,230 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,101 in favour of Bronte.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Clovelly carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,029 per year, $7,112 from Bronte versus $8,141 from Clovelly.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bronte by $379 a year, $1,344 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bronte by $201 a year, $2,145 against $2,346.
- Building insurance favours Bronte by $650 a year, $2,300 against $2,950.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated high in Clovelly against medium in Bronte, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bronte cumulative | Clovelly cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,337 | $8,567 | $1,230 |
| Year 3 | $22,678 | $26,480 | $3,802 |
| Year 5 | $38,953 | $45,483 | $6,530 |
| Year 10 | $84,110 | $98,211 | $14,101 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bronte or Clovelly cheaper to live in?
Bronte is cheaper to run by car at $7,337 per year versus $8,567 for Clovelly, a difference of $1,230 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bronte and Clovelly?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,344 in Bronte (Waverley rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Clovelly (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bronte and $1,548 in Clovelly. 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 Bronte and Clovelly?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,145 from Bronte and $2,346 from Clovelly to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Bronte and $1,920 from Clovelly.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bronte and Clovelly?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bronte costs a cumulative $84,110 and Clovelly costs $98,211 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,101 in favour of Bronte. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bronte and Clovelly 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 Randwick 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.