Charmhaven vs San Remo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Charmhaven and San Remo are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 76.4 km and 78 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
San Remo runs $332 a year cheaper than Charmhaven, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,806.
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 →Charmhaven
San Remo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Charmhaven | San Remo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,227 | $3,295 | -$68 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,481 | $9,149 | +$332 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,654 | $8,254 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Charmhaven | San Remo | 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 — Charmhaven vs San Remo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
San Remo costs $332 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,806 in favour of San Remo.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Charmhaven carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,654 from Charmhaven versus $8,254 from San Remo.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Charmhaven cumulative | San Remo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,481 | $9,149 | $332 |
| Year 3 | $29,305 | $28,279 | $1,026 |
| Year 5 | $50,336 | $48,573 | $1,763 |
| Year 10 | $108,689 | $104,883 | $3,806 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Charmhaven or San Remo cheaper to live in?
San Remo is cheaper to run by car at $9,149 per year versus $9,481 for Charmhaven, a difference of $332 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Charmhaven and San Remo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Charmhaven (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in San Remo (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Charmhaven and $1,300 in San Remo. 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 Charmhaven and San Remo?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,227 from Charmhaven and $3,295 from San Remo to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Charmhaven and $2,400 from San Remo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Charmhaven and San Remo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Charmhaven costs a cumulative $108,689 and San Remo costs $104,883 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,806 in favour of San Remo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Charmhaven and San Remo 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.