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Map of Bulli
58.1 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Bulli, NSW 2516

Living in a house in Bulli costs about $10,875 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Bulli sits 58.1 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $11,715, with the $2,100 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 58.1km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $3,158 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Wollongong Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Costs 14% more to run than the Wollongong average, cheaper than only 74% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $5,558, roughly 51% of the annual total.
Bushfire risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$10,875
Driving · per year
$906/month
About $209 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$11,715
Incl. body corporate
$976/month
About $225 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$840
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Wollongong rates
$1,819
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Sydney Water
$1,548
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 58.1km from CBD · 192 days
$5,558
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire High
$1,950
Total annual running cost
$10,875
($906/month, $209/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below.

↑ 14% above Wollongong average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.2/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 74% of Wollongong suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,442/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$2,001/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Bulli'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 Bulli

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Bulli, 411 m away, about a 5 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Bulli District Hospital, 1,108 m away, about a 14 minute walk.
Supermarkets
4
Cafes
9
Parks
23
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.

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Frequently asked questions about Bulli

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Bulli to the CBD?

Public transport saves Bulli residents $3,158 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $5,558 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Bulli?

Bulli falls under Wollongong Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,819 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,819 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Bulli?

Running a unit in Bulli costs approximately $11,715 per year by car or $8,557 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,819, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $690. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Bulli close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Bulli is Bulli, a train stop about 411 m away, about a 5 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Bulli?

The closest hospital to the centre of Bulli is Bulli District Hospital, about 1,108 m away, about a 14 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Bulli?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Bulli there are 4 supermarkets, 9 cafes and 23 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: Wollongong rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney 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: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data last verified September 2026.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.