Avalon Beach vs Clareville, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Avalon Beach and Clareville are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 29.1 km and 27.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $153 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, Clareville costs about $1,800 less to run than Avalon Beach. That's about $3 a week.
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Clareville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Avalon Beach | Clareville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,470 | $6,317 | +$153 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $1,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,234 | $11,081 | +$153 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,164 | $7,164 | - |
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 | Avalon Beach | Clareville | 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, Avalon Beach vs Clareville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Avalon Beach and Clareville cost within $153 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,754, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $153 per year. Avalon Beach is 29.1 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, $7,164 and $7,164 a year, so the $153 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,766 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Clareville by $153 a year, $6,317 against $6,470.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,450 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Avalon Beach cumulative | Clareville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,234 | $11,081 | $153 |
| Year 3 | $34,723 | $34,250 | $473 |
| Year 5 | $59,643 | $58,831 | $812 |
| Year 10 | $128,785 | $127,031 | $1,754 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Avalon Beach or Clareville cheaper to live in?
Clareville is cheaper to run by car at $11,081 per year versus $11,234 for Avalon Beach, a difference of $153 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Avalon Beach and Clareville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Avalon Beach (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Clareville (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Avalon Beach and $1,548 in Clareville. 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 Avalon Beach and Clareville?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,470 from Avalon Beach and $6,317 from Clareville to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Avalon Beach and $2,400 from Clareville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Avalon Beach and Clareville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Avalon Beach costs a cumulative $128,785 and Clareville costs $127,031 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,754 in favour of Clareville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Avalon Beach and Clareville suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Northern Beaches rates (OLG and Northern Beaches 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.