Caves Beach vs Murrays Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caves Beach and Murrays Beach are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 93.7 km and 91.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $26 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. 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 →Caves Beach
Murrays Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caves Beach | Murrays Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,958 | $3,882 | +$76 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,850 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,898 | $9,872 | +$26 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,340 | $8,390 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Caves Beach | Murrays Beach | 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 — Caves Beach vs Murrays Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caves Beach and Murrays Beach cost within $26 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $298, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $76 per year. Caves Beach is 93.7 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, $8,340 and $8,390 a year, so the $26 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caves Beach cumulative | Murrays Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,898 | $9,872 | $26 |
| Year 3 | $30,594 | $30,513 | $81 |
| Year 5 | $52,550 | $52,412 | $138 |
| Year 10 | $113,469 | $113,171 | $298 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caves Beach or Murrays Beach cheaper to live in?
Murrays Beach is cheaper to run by car at $9,872 per year versus $9,898 for Caves Beach, a difference of $26 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caves Beach and Murrays Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Caves Beach (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Murrays Beach (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Caves Beach and $1,377 in Murrays Beach. 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 Caves Beach and Murrays Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,958 from Caves Beach and $3,882 from Murrays Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Caves Beach and $2,400 from Murrays Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caves Beach and Murrays Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caves Beach costs a cumulative $113,469 and Murrays Beach costs $113,171 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $298 in favour of Murrays Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caves Beach and Murrays Beach 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.