Bar Point vs Milsons Passage, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bar Point (Central Coast rates (OLG) and Milsons Passage (Hornsby rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (40.7 km and 39.8 km).
Bar Point runs $437 a year cheaper than Milsons Passage, driven mostly by water. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,010.
Over 10 years, Bar Point costs about $5,000 less to run than Milsons Passage. That's about $10 a week.
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Milsons Passage
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bar Point | Milsons Passage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,541 | -$87 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,548 | -$248 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,986 | $6,988 | -$2 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,350 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,990 | $12,427 | -$437 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,404 | $7,839 | -$435 |
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 | Bar Point | Milsons Passage | 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, Bar Point vs Milsons Passage (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bar Point costs $437 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,010 in favour of Bar Point.
The biggest single gap is water and sewerage at $248 per year.
On public transport the gap is $435 per year, $7,404 from Bar Point versus $7,839 from Milsons Passage.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bar Point by $87 a year, $1,454 against $1,541.
- Water and sewerage favours Bar Point by $248 a year, $1,300 against $1,548.
- Driving commute favours Bar Point by $2 a year, $6,986 against $6,988.
- Building insurance favours Bar Point by $100 a year, $2,250 against $2,350.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Bar Point against medium in Milsons Passage, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bar Point cumulative | Milsons Passage cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,990 | $12,427 | $437 |
| Year 3 | $37,060 | $38,411 | $1,351 |
| Year 5 | $63,657 | $65,977 | $2,320 |
| Year 10 | $137,452 | $142,462 | $5,010 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bar Point or Milsons Passage cheaper to live in?
Bar Point is cheaper to run by car at $11,990 per year versus $12,427 for Milsons Passage, a difference of $437 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bar Point and Milsons Passage?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Bar Point (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,541 in Milsons Passage (Hornsby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bar Point and $1,548 in Milsons Passage. 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 Bar Point and Milsons Passage?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,986 from Bar Point and $6,988 from Milsons Passage to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bar Point and $2,400 from Milsons Passage.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bar Point and Milsons Passage?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bar Point costs a cumulative $137,452 and Milsons Passage costs $142,462 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,010 in favour of Bar Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bar Point and Milsons Passage suits you better?
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Sources: Central Coast rates (OLG and Hornsby 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.