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 $76 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 →Cremorne
Neutral Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cremorne | Neutral Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,327 | $1,327 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,607 | $1,233 | +$374 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,332 | $6,408 | -$76 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,645 | $7,095 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $76 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $872, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Neutral Bay carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $6,645 from Cremorne versus $7,095 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 $450 a year, $1,850 against $2,300.
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 | $6,332 | $6,408 | $76 |
| Year 3 | $19,572 | $19,806 | $234 |
| Year 5 | $33,617 | $34,021 | $404 |
| Year 10 | $72,589 | $73,461 | $872 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cremorne or Neutral Bay cheaper to live in?
Cremorne is cheaper to run by car at $6,332 per year versus $6,408 for Neutral Bay, a difference of $76 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 $72,589 and Neutral Bay costs $73,461 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $872 in favour of Cremorne. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cremorne and Neutral Bay 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.