True annual cost of living in Bend of Islands, VIC 3097
Living in a house in Bend of Islands costs about $13,084 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Bend of Islands sits 30.4 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. Unit costs reach $13,494, with the $2,100 owners corporation levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 30.4km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,363 more per year than public transport users.
About $252 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$13,494
Incl. owners corporation
$1,125/month
About $260 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$410
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Nillumbik rates
$2,810
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Yarra Valley Water
$1,538
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 30.4km from CBD · 192 days
$6,586
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire High
$2,150
Owners corporation
Estimated
$2,100
Total annual running cost
$13,084
($1,090/month, $252/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy on your rates notice: $139 a year plus 17.3 cents per $1,000 of your home's capital improved value (2026-27).
Near Nillumbik Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●○○○○2.6/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 1% of Nillumbik Shire Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,016/yr
4,840 kWh
Unit
$1,629/yr
3,630 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Bend of Islands's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Getting around Bend of Islands
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Bend of Islands to the CBD?
Public transport saves Bend of Islands residents $4,363 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,586 versus $2,223 by public transport using a yearly myki Pass at the 2026 standard full fare.
What are the council rates in Bend of Islands?
Bend of Islands falls under Nillumbik Shire Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $2,810 per year, from the council's budget: residential rate revenue divided by the number of residential assessments, plus the council's municipal charge where it sets one. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, so individual properties pay more or less than the average. The figure excludes waste charges and the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.
What does it cost to run a unit in Bend of Islands?
Running a unit in Bend of Islands costs approximately $13,494 per year by car or $9,131 by public transport. This includes council rates of $2,810, water and sewerage $1,538, estimated owners corporation levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $460. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Bend of Islands close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Bend of Islands. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.
What shops and parks are in Bend of Islands?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Bend of Islands there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Data sources: Council rates: Nillumbik rates (2026-27 budget). Water: Yarra Valley Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Flood: Victorian planning scheme flood overlays (FO, LSIO, SBO). Fire: Bushfire Management Overlay and Bushfire Prone Area. Data last verified November 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.