Beacon Hill vs Oxford Falls: 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 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 $1,011 a year cheaper than Oxford Falls, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,590.
Over 10 years, Beacon Hill costs about $11,600 less to run than Oxford Falls — the same as paying $11,600 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) | $3,991 | $4,302 | -$311 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,550 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,155 | $10,166 | -$1,011 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,550 | $8,250 | -$700 |
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 | Oxford Falls | 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 Oxford Falls (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Beacon Hill costs $1,011 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,590 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.
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 $311 a year, $3,991 against $4,302.
- Building insurance favours Beacon Hill by $700 a year, $1,850 against $2,550.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Oxford Falls against low in Beacon Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beacon Hill cumulative | Oxford Falls cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,155 | $10,166 | $1,011 |
| Year 3 | $28,297 | $31,422 | $3,125 |
| Year 5 | $48,605 | $53,973 | $5,368 |
| Year 10 | $104,952 | $116,542 | $11,590 |
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 $9,155 per year versus $10,166 for Oxford Falls, a difference of $1,011 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 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 $3,991 from Beacon Hill and $4,302 from Oxford Falls to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $104,952 and Oxford Falls costs $116,542 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,590 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.