Crows Nest vs Naremburn, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Crows Nest (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and Naremburn (Willoughby rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4.7 km and 6 km).
Crows Nest runs $757 a year cheaper than Naremburn, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,678.
Over 10 years, Crows Nest costs about $8,700 less to run than Naremburn. That's about $17 a week.
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Naremburn
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crows Nest | Naremburn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,327 | $1,341 | -$14 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,546 | $1,939 | -$393 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,850 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $5,921 | $6,678 | -$757 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,295 | $6,659 | -$364 |
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 | Crows Nest | Naremburn | 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, Crows Nest vs Naremburn (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Crows Nest costs $757 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,678 in favour of Crows Nest.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $393 per year. Naremburn is 6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $364 per year, $6,295 from Crows Nest versus $6,659 from Naremburn.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Crows Nest by $14 a year, $1,327 against $1,341.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Crows Nest by $393 a year, $1,546 against $1,939.
- Building insurance favours Crows Nest by $350 a year, $1,500 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Crows Nest cumulative | Naremburn cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,921 | $6,678 | $757 |
| Year 3 | $18,301 | $20,641 | $2,340 |
| Year 5 | $31,435 | $35,454 | $4,019 |
| Year 10 | $67,878 | $76,556 | $8,678 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crows Nest or Naremburn cheaper to live in?
Crows Nest is cheaper to run by car at $5,921 per year versus $6,678 for Naremburn, a difference of $757 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Crows Nest and Naremburn?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,327 in Crows Nest (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and $1,341 in Naremburn (Willoughby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Crows Nest and $1,548 in Naremburn. 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 Crows Nest and Naremburn?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,546 from Crows Nest and $1,939 from Naremburn to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Crows Nest and $1,920 from Naremburn.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Crows Nest and Naremburn?
At 3% annual cost growth, Crows Nest costs a cumulative $67,878 and Naremburn costs $76,556 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,678 in favour of Crows Nest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Crows Nest and Naremburn suits you better?
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Sources: North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in and Willoughby 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.