Chatswood vs North Sydney, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chatswood (Willoughby rates (OLG) and North Sydney (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (8.7 km and 3.4 km).
North Sydney runs $1,935 a year cheaper than Chatswood, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $22,183.
Over 10 years, North Sydney costs about $22,200 less to run than Chatswood. That's about $43 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Chatswood
North Sydney
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chatswood | North Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,327 | +$14 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,709 | $1,138 | +$1,571 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,500 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $7,448 | $5,513 | +$1,935 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,659 | $6,295 | +$364 |
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 | Chatswood | North Sydney | 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, Chatswood vs North Sydney (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Sydney costs $1,935 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $22,183 in favour of North Sydney.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,571 per year. Chatswood is 8.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $364 per year, $6,659 from Chatswood versus $6,295 from North Sydney.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours North Sydney by $14 a year, $1,327 against $1,341.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Sydney by $1,571 a year, $1,138 against $2,709.
- Building insurance favours North Sydney by $350 a year, $1,500 against $1,850.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chatswood cumulative | North Sydney cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,448 | $5,513 | $1,935 |
| Year 3 | $23,021 | $17,040 | $5,981 |
| Year 5 | $39,542 | $29,269 | $10,273 |
| Year 10 | $85,383 | $63,200 | $22,183 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chatswood or North Sydney cheaper to live in?
North Sydney is cheaper to run by car at $5,513 per year versus $7,448 for Chatswood, a difference of $1,935 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chatswood and North Sydney?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Chatswood (Willoughby rates (OLG) and $1,327 in North Sydney (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chatswood and $1,548 in North Sydney. 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 Chatswood and North Sydney?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,709 from Chatswood and $1,138 from North Sydney to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Chatswood and $1,920 from North Sydney.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chatswood and North Sydney?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chatswood costs a cumulative $85,383 and North Sydney costs $63,200 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $22,183 in favour of North Sydney. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chatswood and North Sydney suits you better?
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: Willoughby rates (OLG and North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in 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.