Little Bay vs Phillip Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Little Bay and Phillip Bay are both Randwick rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.2 km and 12.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $138 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. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Little Bay
Phillip Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Little Bay | Phillip Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $1,723 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,725 | $3,587 | +$138 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,946 | $9,808 | +$138 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,607 | $8,607 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Little Bay | Phillip Bay | 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 — Little Bay vs Phillip Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Little Bay and Phillip Bay cost within $138 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,582, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $138 per year. Little Bay is 13.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,607 and $8,607 a year, so the $138 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Little Bay cumulative | Phillip Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,946 | $9,808 | $138 |
| Year 3 | $30,742 | $30,316 | $426 |
| Year 5 | $52,805 | $52,072 | $733 |
| Year 10 | $114,020 | $112,438 | $1,582 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Little Bay or Phillip Bay cheaper to live in?
Phillip Bay is cheaper to run by car at $9,808 per year versus $9,946 for Little Bay, a difference of $138 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Little Bay and Phillip Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Little Bay (Randwick rates (OLG) and $1,723 in Phillip Bay (Randwick rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Little Bay and $1,548 in Phillip Bay. 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 Little Bay and Phillip Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,725 from Little Bay and $3,587 from Phillip Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Little Bay and $2,386 from Phillip Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Little Bay and Phillip Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Little Bay costs a cumulative $114,020 and Phillip Bay costs $112,438 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,582 in favour of Phillip Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Little Bay and Phillip Bay 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: Randwick rates (OLG and Randwick 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.