Beacon Hill vs Narraweena: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beacon Hill and Narraweena are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.8 km and 14.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $158 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 →Beacon Hill
Narraweena
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beacon Hill | Narraweena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,991 | $4,149 | -$158 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,155 | $9,313 | -$158 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,550 | $7,550 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Beacon Hill | Narraweena | 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 — Beacon Hill vs Narraweena (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Beacon Hill and Narraweena cost within $158 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,811, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $158 per year. Narraweena is 14.5 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, $7,550 and $7,550 a year, so the $158 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 Beacon Hill by $158 a year, $3,991 against $4,149.
- 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.
The catchment state school scores 8.5 in Beacon Hill against 7.5 in Narraweena, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beacon Hill cumulative | Narraweena cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,155 | $9,313 | $158 |
| Year 3 | $28,297 | $28,786 | $489 |
| Year 5 | $48,605 | $49,444 | $839 |
| Year 10 | $104,952 | $106,763 | $1,811 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beacon Hill or Narraweena cheaper to live in?
Beacon Hill is cheaper to run by car at $9,155 per year versus $9,313 for Narraweena, a difference of $158 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beacon Hill and Narraweena?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Beacon Hill (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Narraweena (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Beacon Hill and $1,548 in Narraweena. 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 Beacon Hill and Narraweena?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,991 from Beacon Hill and $4,149 from Narraweena to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Beacon Hill and $2,386 from Narraweena.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beacon Hill and Narraweena?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beacon Hill costs a cumulative $104,952 and Narraweena costs $106,763 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,811 in favour of Beacon Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beacon Hill and Narraweena 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.