Beacon Hill vs Oxford Falls: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beacon Hill and Oxford Falls are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.8 km and 15.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Beacon Hill runs $1,001 a year cheaper than Oxford Falls, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,475.
Over 10 years, Beacon Hill costs about $11,500 less to run than Oxford Falls — the same as paying $11,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Oxford Falls
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beacon Hill | Oxford Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,859 | $4,160 | -$301 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,550 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,023 | $10,024 | -$1,001 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,550 | $8,250 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Beacon Hill | Oxford Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Oxford Falls (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Beacon Hill costs $1,001 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,475 in favour of Beacon Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $7,550 from Beacon Hill versus $8,250 from Oxford Falls.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beacon Hill cumulative | Oxford Falls cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,023 | $10,024 | $1,001 |
| Year 3 | $27,889 | $30,983 | $3,094 |
| Year 5 | $47,904 | $53,219 | $5,315 |
| Year 10 | $103,439 | $114,914 | $11,475 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beacon Hill or Oxford Falls cheaper to live in?
Beacon Hill is cheaper to run by car at $9,023 per year versus $10,024 for Oxford Falls, a difference of $1,001 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beacon Hill and Oxford Falls?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Beacon Hill (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Oxford Falls (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Beacon Hill and $1,548 in Oxford Falls. 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 Oxford Falls?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,859 from Beacon Hill and $4,160 from Oxford Falls to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Beacon Hill and $2,386 from Oxford Falls.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beacon Hill and Oxford Falls?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beacon Hill costs a cumulative $103,439 and Oxford Falls costs $114,914 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,475 in favour of Beacon Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beacon Hill and Oxford Falls 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.