Coasters Retreat vs Currawong Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coasters Retreat and Currawong Beach are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 30.5 km and 31.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $83 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Coasters Retreat
Currawong Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coasters Retreat | Currawong Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,377 | $6,460 | -$83 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,691 | $12,774 | -$83 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,714 | $8,714 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Coasters Retreat | Currawong Beach | 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 — Coasters Retreat vs Currawong Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coasters Retreat and Currawong Beach cost within $83 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $952, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $83 per year. Currawong Beach is 31.6 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, $8,714 and $8,714 a year, so the $83 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coasters Retreat cumulative | Currawong Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,691 | $12,774 | $83 |
| Year 3 | $39,227 | $39,483 | $256 |
| Year 5 | $67,378 | $67,819 | $441 |
| Year 10 | $145,488 | $146,440 | $952 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coasters Retreat or Currawong Beach cheaper to live in?
Coasters Retreat is cheaper to run by car at $12,691 per year versus $12,774 for Currawong Beach, a difference of $83 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coasters Retreat and Currawong Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Coasters Retreat (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Currawong Beach (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Coasters Retreat and $1,548 in Currawong Beach. 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 Coasters Retreat and Currawong Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,377 from Coasters Retreat and $6,460 from Currawong Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Coasters Retreat and $2,400 from Currawong Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coasters Retreat and Currawong Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coasters Retreat costs a cumulative $145,488 and Currawong Beach costs $146,440 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $952 in favour of Coasters Retreat. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coasters Retreat and Currawong Beach 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: Northern Beaches rates (OLG and Northern Beaches 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.