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).
The two sit within $63 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 these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bar Point
Milsons Passage
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bar Point | Milsons Passage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,541 | -$87 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,548 | -$248 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,986 | $6,988 | -$2 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,650 | $3,250 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,390 | $13,327 | +$63 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,804 | $8,739 | +$65 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 and Milsons Passage cost within $63 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $722, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Bar Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,804 and $8,739 a year, so the $63 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Milsons Passage by $400 a year, $3,250 against $3,650.
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 | $13,390 | $13,327 | $63 |
| Year 3 | $41,387 | $41,192 | $195 |
| Year 5 | $71,089 | $70,755 | $334 |
| Year 10 | $153,501 | $152,779 | $722 |
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?
Milsons Passage is cheaper to run by car at $13,327 per year versus $13,390 for Bar Point, a difference of $63 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 $153,501 and Milsons Passage costs $152,779 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $722 in favour of Milsons Passage. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bar Point and Milsons Passage is best to actually live in?
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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.