Balgowlah Heights vs Clontarf, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Balgowlah Heights and Clontarf are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.6 km and 8.1 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, Clontarf costs about $1,600 less to run than Balgowlah Heights. That's about $3 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Balgowlah Heights
Clontarf
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balgowlah Heights | Clontarf | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,682 | $2,544 | +$138 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,846 | $7,708 | +$138 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,084 | $7,084 | - |
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 | Balgowlah Heights | Clontarf | 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, Balgowlah Heights vs Clontarf (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balgowlah Heights and Clontarf 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. Balgowlah Heights is 8.6 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, $7,084 and $7,084 a year, so the $138 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 Clontarf by $138 a year, $2,544 against $2,682.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Balgowlah Heights cumulative | Clontarf cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,846 | $7,708 | $138 |
| Year 3 | $24,251 | $23,825 | $426 |
| Year 5 | $41,655 | $40,923 | $732 |
| Year 10 | $89,946 | $88,364 | $1,582 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balgowlah Heights or Clontarf cheaper to live in?
Clontarf is cheaper to run by car at $7,708 per year versus $7,846 for Balgowlah Heights, a difference of $138 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balgowlah Heights and Clontarf?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Balgowlah Heights (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Clontarf (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Balgowlah Heights and $1,548 in Clontarf. 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 Balgowlah Heights and Clontarf?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,682 from Balgowlah Heights and $2,544 from Clontarf to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Balgowlah Heights and $1,920 from Clontarf.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balgowlah Heights and Clontarf?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balgowlah Heights costs a cumulative $89,946 and Clontarf costs $88,364 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,582 in favour of Clontarf. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balgowlah Heights and Clontarf suits you better?
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: 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.