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78.6 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Bushells Ridge, NSW 2259

Living in a house in Bushells Ridge costs about $8,924 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Bushells Ridge sits 78.6 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,534, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,800 body corporate levy. At 78.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $920 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Central Coast Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 86% of Central Coast suburbs, about 17% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $3,320, roughly 37% 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 →
House annual cost
$8,924
Driving · per year
$744/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,534
Incl. body corporate
$711/month
House vs unit difference
−$390
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Central Coast rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,454
Water & sewerage
Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 78.6km from CBD · 192 days
$3,320
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire High
$2,850
Total annual running cost
$8,924
($744/month)
↓ 17% below Central Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.0/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 86% of Central Coast suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,148/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,716/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Bushells Ridge's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Bushells Ridge with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Bushells Ridge to the CBD?
Public transport saves Bushells Ridge residents $920 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,320 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Bushells Ridge?
Bushells Ridge falls under Central Coast Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,454 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 $1,454 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Bushells Ridge?
Running a unit in Bushells Ridge costs approximately $8,534 per year by car or $7,614 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,454, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $660. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Central Coast rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.