Crows Nest vs St Leonards: 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 St Leonards (Willoughby rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4.7 km and 5.3 km).
The two sit within $197 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 →Crows Nest
St Leonards
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crows Nest | St Leonards | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,327 | $1,341 | -$14 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,546 | $1,729 | -$183 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,271 | $6,468 | -$197 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,645 | $6,659 | -$14 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Crows Nest | St Leonards | 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 St Leonards (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Crows Nest and St Leonards cost within $197 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,258, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $183 per year. St Leonards is 5.3 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,645 and $6,659 a year, so the $197 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $183 a year, $1,546 against $1,729.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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 | St Leonards cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,271 | $6,468 | $197 |
| Year 3 | $19,383 | $19,992 | $609 |
| Year 5 | $33,294 | $34,339 | $1,045 |
| Year 10 | $71,890 | $74,148 | $2,258 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crows Nest or St Leonards cheaper to live in?
Crows Nest is cheaper to run by car at $6,271 per year versus $6,468 for St Leonards, a difference of $197 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 St Leonards?
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 St Leonards (Willoughby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Crows Nest and $1,548 in St Leonards. 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 St Leonards?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,546 from Crows Nest and $1,729 from St Leonards to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Crows Nest and $1,920 from St Leonards.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Crows Nest and St Leonards?
At 3% annual cost growth, Crows Nest costs a cumulative $71,890 and St Leonards costs $74,148 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,258 in favour of Crows Nest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Crows Nest and St Leonards 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 Willoughby rates (OLG 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.