Collaroy Plateau vs Narrabeen: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Collaroy Plateau and Narrabeen are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 17 km and 19.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Collaroy Plateau runs $1,789 a year cheaper than Narrabeen, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,509.
Over 10 years, Collaroy Plateau costs about $20,500 less to run than Narrabeen — the same as paying $20,500 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 →Collaroy Plateau
Narrabeen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Collaroy Plateau | Narrabeen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,524 | $4,913 | -$389 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $3,250 | -$1,400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,688 | $11,477 | -$1,789 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,550 | $8,950 | -$1,400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Collaroy Plateau | Narrabeen | 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 — Collaroy Plateau vs Narrabeen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Collaroy Plateau costs $1,789 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,509 in favour of Collaroy Plateau.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,400 per year. Narrabeen carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,400 per year, $7,550 from Collaroy Plateau versus $8,950 from Narrabeen.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Collaroy Plateau cumulative | Narrabeen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,688 | $11,477 | $1,789 |
| Year 3 | $29,945 | $35,474 | $5,529 |
| Year 5 | $51,435 | $60,933 | $9,498 |
| Year 10 | $111,062 | $131,571 | $20,509 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collaroy Plateau or Narrabeen cheaper to live in?
Collaroy Plateau is cheaper to run by car at $9,688 per year versus $11,477 for Narrabeen, a difference of $1,789 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Collaroy Plateau and Narrabeen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Collaroy Plateau (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Narrabeen (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Collaroy Plateau and $1,548 in Narrabeen. 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 Collaroy Plateau and Narrabeen?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,524 from Collaroy Plateau and $4,913 from Narrabeen to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Collaroy Plateau and $2,386 from Narrabeen.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Collaroy Plateau and Narrabeen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Collaroy Plateau costs a cumulative $111,062 and Narrabeen costs $131,571 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,509 in favour of Collaroy Plateau. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Collaroy Plateau and Narrabeen 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.