Brookvale vs Narraweena: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brookvale and Narraweena are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13 km and 14.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Narraweena runs $417 a year cheaper than Brookvale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,780.
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 →Brookvale
Narraweena
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brookvale | Narraweena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,679 | $4,012 | -$333 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $1,850 | +$750 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,593 | $9,176 | +$417 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,300 | $7,550 | +$750 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brookvale | Narraweena | 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 — Brookvale vs Narraweena (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Narraweena costs $417 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,780 in favour of Narraweena.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $750 per year. Brookvale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $750 per year, $8,300 from Brookvale versus $7,550 from Narraweena.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brookvale cumulative | Narraweena cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,593 | $9,176 | $417 |
| Year 3 | $29,651 | $28,362 | $1,289 |
| Year 5 | $50,931 | $48,717 | $2,214 |
| Year 10 | $109,973 | $105,193 | $4,780 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brookvale or Narraweena cheaper to live in?
Narraweena is cheaper to run by car at $9,176 per year versus $9,593 for Brookvale, a difference of $417 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brookvale and Narraweena?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Brookvale (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Narraweena (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Brookvale 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 Brookvale and Narraweena?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,679 from Brookvale and $4,012 from Narraweena to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Brookvale and $2,386 from Narraweena.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brookvale and Narraweena?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brookvale costs a cumulative $109,973 and Narraweena costs $105,193 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,780 in favour of Narraweena. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brookvale 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.