Blue Bay vs The Entrance North: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blue Bay and The Entrance North are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 63.1 km and 66 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The Entrance North runs $601 a year cheaper than Blue Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,890.
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 →Blue Bay
The Entrance North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blue Bay | The Entrance North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,504 | $3,903 | +$601 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,058 | $9,457 | +$601 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,954 | $7,954 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blue Bay | The Entrance North | 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 — Blue Bay vs The Entrance North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
The Entrance North costs $601 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,890 in favour of The Entrance North.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $601 per year. The Entrance North is 66 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,954 and $7,954 a year, so the $601 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blue Bay cumulative | The Entrance North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,058 | $9,457 | $601 |
| Year 3 | $31,088 | $29,231 | $1,857 |
| Year 5 | $53,399 | $50,208 | $3,191 |
| Year 10 | $115,304 | $108,414 | $6,890 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blue Bay or The Entrance North cheaper to live in?
The Entrance North is cheaper to run by car at $9,457 per year versus $10,058 for Blue Bay, a difference of $601 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blue Bay and The Entrance North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Blue Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in The Entrance North (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Blue Bay and $1,300 in The Entrance North. 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 Blue Bay and The Entrance North?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,504 from Blue Bay and $3,903 from The Entrance North to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blue Bay and $2,400 from The Entrance North.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blue Bay and The Entrance North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blue Bay costs a cumulative $115,304 and The Entrance North costs $108,414 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,890 in favour of The Entrance North. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blue Bay and The Entrance North 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 Central Coast 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.