Castle Cove vs Killarney Heights, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Castle Cove (Willoughby rates (OLG) and Killarney Heights (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (9.1 km and 10.3 km).
The two sit within $8 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.
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Killarney Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Castle Cove | Killarney Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,766 | -$425 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,818 | $3,135 | -$317 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $2,386 | -$466 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,600 | $1,850 | +$750 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,307 | $8,299 | +$8 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,409 | $7,550 | -$141 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Castle Cove | Killarney Heights | 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, Castle Cove vs Killarney Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Castle Cove and Killarney Heights cost within $8 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $91, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $750 per year. Castle Cove carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,409 and $7,550 a year, so the $8 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Castle Cove by $425 a year, $1,341 against $1,766.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Castle Cove by $317 a year, $2,818 against $3,135.
- Building insurance favours Killarney Heights by $750 a year, $1,850 against $2,600.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated medium in Castle Cove against low in Killarney Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Killarney Heights against medium in Castle Cove, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Castle Cove cumulative | Killarney Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,307 | $8,299 | $8 |
| Year 3 | $25,676 | $25,651 | $25 |
| Year 5 | $44,103 | $44,061 | $42 |
| Year 10 | $95,230 | $95,139 | $91 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Castle Cove or Killarney Heights cheaper to live in?
Killarney Heights is cheaper to run by car at $8,299 per year versus $8,307 for Castle Cove, a difference of $8 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Castle Cove and Killarney Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Castle Cove (Willoughby rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Killarney Heights (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Castle Cove and $1,548 in Killarney Heights. 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 Castle Cove and Killarney Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,818 from Castle Cove and $3,135 from Killarney Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Castle Cove and $2,386 from Killarney Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Castle Cove and Killarney Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Castle Cove costs a cumulative $95,230 and Killarney Heights costs $95,139 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $91 in favour of Killarney Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Castle Cove and Killarney Heights suits you better?
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Sources: Willoughby 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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.