Bulli vs Woonona, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bulli and Woonona are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 58.1 km and 60.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $251 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, Woonona costs about $2,900 less to run than Bulli. That's about $6 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Bulli
Woonona
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bulli | Woonona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,558 | $5,207 | +$351 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $2,050 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $1,800 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $10,875 | $10,624 | +$251 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,717 | $7,817 | -$100 |
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 | Bulli | Woonona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Bulli vs Woonona (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bulli and Woonona cost within $251 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,878, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $351 per year. Woonona is 60.2 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, $7,717 and $7,817 a year, so the $251 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Woonona by $351 a year, $5,207 against $5,558.
- Building insurance favours Bulli by $100 a year, $1,950 against $2,050.
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 high in Woonona against medium in Bulli, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Bulli against medium in Woonona, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.9 in Bulli against 6.9 in Woonona, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bulli cumulative | Woonona cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,875 | $10,624 | $251 |
| Year 3 | $33,614 | $32,838 | $776 |
| Year 5 | $57,737 | $56,404 | $1,333 |
| Year 10 | $124,670 | $121,792 | $2,878 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bulli or Woonona cheaper to live in?
Woonona is cheaper to run by car at $10,624 per year versus $10,875 for Bulli, a difference of $251 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bulli and Woonona?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Bulli (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Woonona (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bulli and $1,548 in Woonona. 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 Bulli and Woonona?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,558 from Bulli and $5,207 from Woonona to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bulli and $2,400 from Woonona.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bulli and Woonona?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bulli costs a cumulative $124,670 and Woonona costs $121,792 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,878 in favour of Woonona. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bulli and Woonona suits you better?
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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.