Chatswood vs North Sydney: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $1,534 a year cheaper than Chatswood, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $17,586.
Over 10 years, North Sydney costs about $17,600 less to run than Chatswood — the same as paying $17,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Chatswood
North Sydney
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chatswood | North Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,327 | +$14 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,620 | $1,100 | +$1,520 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $7,359 | $5,825 | +$1,534 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,659 | $6,645 | +$14 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chatswood | North Sydney | 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 — Chatswood vs North Sydney (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Sydney costs $1,534 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $17,586 in favour of North Sydney.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,520 per year. Chatswood is 8.7 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, $6,659 and $6,645 a year, so the $1,534 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chatswood cumulative | North Sydney cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,359 | $5,825 | $1,534 |
| Year 3 | $22,746 | $18,004 | $4,742 |
| Year 5 | $39,070 | $30,926 | $8,144 |
| Year 10 | $84,363 | $66,777 | $17,586 |
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 $5,825 per year versus $7,359 for Chatswood, a difference of $1,534 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $2,620 from Chatswood and $1,100 from North Sydney to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $84,363 and North Sydney costs $66,777 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $17,586 in favour of North Sydney. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chatswood and North Sydney is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.