Bayview vs McCarrs Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bayview and McCarrs Creek are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 24.5 km and 25.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $69 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.
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McCarrs Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bayview | McCarrs Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,940 | $6,121 | -$181 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,600 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,104 | $11,035 | +$69 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,564 | $7,314 | +$250 |
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 | Bayview | McCarrs Creek | 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, Bayview vs McCarrs Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bayview and McCarrs Creek cost within $69 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $791, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Bayview carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,564 from Bayview versus $7,314 from McCarrs Creek.
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 Bayview by $181 a year, $5,940 against $6,121.
- Building insurance favours McCarrs Creek by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Bayview against low in McCarrs Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in McCarrs Creek against low in Bayview, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bayview cumulative | McCarrs Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,104 | $11,035 | $69 |
| Year 3 | $34,321 | $34,108 | $213 |
| Year 5 | $58,953 | $58,586 | $367 |
| Year 10 | $127,295 | $126,504 | $791 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bayview or McCarrs Creek cheaper to live in?
McCarrs Creek is cheaper to run by car at $11,035 per year versus $11,104 for Bayview, a difference of $69 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bayview and McCarrs Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Bayview (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in McCarrs Creek (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bayview and $1,548 in McCarrs Creek. 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 Bayview and McCarrs Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,940 from Bayview and $6,121 from McCarrs Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bayview and $2,400 from McCarrs Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bayview and McCarrs Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bayview costs a cumulative $127,295 and McCarrs Creek costs $126,504 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $791 in favour of McCarrs Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bayview and McCarrs Creek suits you better?
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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.