Bundeena vs Maianbar, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bundeena and Maianbar are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 24.6 km and 24.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $13 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 these two cost about the same to run.
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Maianbar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bundeena | Maianbar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,953 | $5,940 | +$13 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,968 | $10,955 | +$13 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,415 | $7,415 | - |
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 | Bundeena | Maianbar | 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, Bundeena vs Maianbar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bundeena and Maianbar cost within $13 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $149, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $13 per year. Bundeena is 24.6 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, $7,415 and $7,415 a year, so the $13 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,617 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Maianbar by $13 a year, $5,940 against $5,953.
- 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 8.8 in Maianbar against 7.7 in Bundeena, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bundeena cumulative | Maianbar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,968 | $10,955 | $13 |
| Year 3 | $33,901 | $33,861 | $40 |
| Year 5 | $58,231 | $58,162 | $69 |
| Year 10 | $125,736 | $125,587 | $149 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bundeena or Maianbar cheaper to live in?
Maianbar is cheaper to run by car at $10,955 per year versus $10,968 for Bundeena, a difference of $13 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bundeena and Maianbar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Bundeena (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Maianbar (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bundeena and $1,548 in Maianbar. 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 Bundeena and Maianbar?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,953 from Bundeena and $5,940 from Maianbar to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bundeena and $2,400 from Maianbar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bundeena and Maianbar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bundeena costs a cumulative $125,736 and Maianbar costs $125,587 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $149 in favour of Maianbar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bundeena and Maianbar suits you better?
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Sources: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.