Bullaburra vs Wentworth Falls, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bullaburra and Wentworth Falls are both Blue Mountains rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 74.4 km and 78.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $192 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years, Bullaburra costs about $2,200 less to run than Wentworth Falls. That's about $4 a week.
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Wentworth Falls
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bullaburra | Wentworth Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $2,157 | $2,157 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,250 | $3,442 | -$192 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,805 | $8,997 | -$192 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,955 | $7,955 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bullaburra | Wentworth Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Bullaburra vs Wentworth Falls (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bullaburra and Wentworth Falls cost within $192 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,202, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $192 per year. Wentworth Falls is 78.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,955 and $7,955 a year, so the $192 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,157 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bullaburra by $192 a year, $3,250 against $3,442.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.9 in Wentworth Falls against 6 in Bullaburra, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bullaburra cumulative | Wentworth Falls cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,805 | $8,997 | $192 |
| Year 3 | $27,215 | $27,809 | $594 |
| Year 5 | $46,747 | $47,766 | $1,019 |
| Year 10 | $100,939 | $103,141 | $2,202 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bullaburra or Wentworth Falls cheaper to live in?
Bullaburra is cheaper to run by car at $8,805 per year versus $8,997 for Wentworth Falls, a difference of $192 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bullaburra and Wentworth Falls?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,157 in Bullaburra (Blue Mountains rates (OLG) and $2,157 in Wentworth Falls (Blue Mountains rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bullaburra and $1,548 in Wentworth Falls. 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 Bullaburra and Wentworth Falls?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,250 from Bullaburra and $3,442 from Wentworth Falls to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bullaburra and $2,400 from Wentworth Falls.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bullaburra and Wentworth Falls?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bullaburra costs a cumulative $100,939 and Wentworth Falls costs $103,141 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,202 in favour of Bullaburra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bullaburra and Wentworth Falls suits you better?
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Sources: Blue Mountains rates (OLG and Blue Mountains rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.