Clontarf vs Mosman, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $784 a year cheaper than Clontarf, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,988.
Over 10 years, Mosman costs about $9,000 less to run than Clontarf. That's about $17 a week.
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Mosman
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clontarf | Mosman | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,544 | $1,910 | +$634 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,700 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,708 | $6,924 | +$784 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,084 | $6,934 | +$150 |
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 | Clontarf | Mosman | 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, Clontarf vs Mosman (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mosman costs $784 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,988 in favour of Mosman.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $634 per year. Clontarf is 8.1 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,084 and $6,934 a year, so the $784 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,766 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mosman by $634 a year, $1,910 against $2,544.
- Building insurance favours Mosman by $150 a year, $1,700 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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Clontarf against low in Mosman, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clontarf cumulative | Mosman cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,708 | $6,924 | $784 |
| Year 3 | $23,825 | $21,401 | $2,424 |
| Year 5 | $40,923 | $36,760 | $4,163 |
| Year 10 | $88,364 | $79,376 | $8,988 |
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 $6,924 per year versus $7,708 for Clontarf, a difference of $784 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,544 from Clontarf and $1,910 from Mosman to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $88,364 and Mosman costs $79,376 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,988 in favour of Mosman. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clontarf and Mosman suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.