Clontarf vs Mosman: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clontarf (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and Mosman (Mosman rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (8.1 km and 5.9 km).
Mosman runs $1,063 a year cheaper than Clontarf, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,187.
Over 10 years, Mosman costs about $12,200 less to run than Clontarf — the same as paying $12,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mosman
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clontarf | Mosman | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,460 | $1,847 | +$613 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,600 | $2,150 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,374 | $7,311 | +$1,063 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $7,384 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clontarf | Mosman | 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 — Clontarf vs Mosman (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mosman costs $1,063 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,187 in favour of Mosman.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $613 per year. Clontarf is 8.1 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,834 from Clontarf versus $7,384 from Mosman.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clontarf cumulative | Mosman cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,374 | $7,311 | $1,063 |
| Year 3 | $25,883 | $22,598 | $3,285 |
| Year 5 | $44,459 | $38,815 | $5,644 |
| Year 10 | $95,999 | $83,812 | $12,187 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clontarf or Mosman cheaper to live in?
Mosman is cheaper to run by car at $7,311 per year versus $8,374 for Clontarf, a difference of $1,063 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clontarf and Mosman?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Clontarf (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Mosman (Mosman rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Clontarf and $1,548 in Mosman. 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 Clontarf and Mosman?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,460 from Clontarf and $1,847 from Mosman to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Clontarf and $1,920 from Mosman.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clontarf and Mosman?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clontarf costs a cumulative $95,999 and Mosman costs $83,812 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,187 in favour of Mosman. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clontarf and Mosman is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Northern Beaches rates (OLG and Mosman 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.