Cremorne vs Neutral Bay, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cremorne and Neutral Bay are both North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in suburbs, sitting 4.9 km and 3.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $24 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.
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Neutral Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cremorne | Neutral Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,327 | $1,327 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,607 | $1,233 | +$374 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,850 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,982 | $5,958 | +$24 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,295 | $6,645 | -$350 |
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 | Cremorne | Neutral Bay | 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, Cremorne vs Neutral Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cremorne and Neutral Bay cost within $24 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $275, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $374 per year. Cremorne is 4.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $6,295 from Cremorne versus $6,645 from Neutral Bay.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,327 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Neutral Bay by $374 a year, $1,233 against $1,607.
- Building insurance favours Cremorne by $350 a year, $1,500 against $1,850.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Neutral Bay against low in Cremorne, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cremorne cumulative | Neutral Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,982 | $5,958 | $24 |
| Year 3 | $18,490 | $18,416 | $74 |
| Year 5 | $31,759 | $31,632 | $127 |
| Year 10 | $68,577 | $68,302 | $275 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cremorne or Neutral Bay cheaper to live in?
Neutral Bay is cheaper to run by car at $5,958 per year versus $5,982 for Cremorne, a difference of $24 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cremorne and Neutral Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,327 in Cremorne (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and $1,327 in Neutral Bay (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cremorne and $1,548 in Neutral Bay. 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 Cremorne and Neutral Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,607 from Cremorne and $1,233 from Neutral Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Cremorne and $1,920 from Neutral Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cremorne and Neutral Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cremorne costs a cumulative $68,577 and Neutral Bay costs $68,302 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $275 in favour of Neutral Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cremorne and Neutral Bay suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.