Curl Curl vs Dee Why: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Curl Curl and Dee Why are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.4 km and 14.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Curl Curl runs $338 a year cheaper than Dee Why, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,875.
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 →Curl Curl
Dee Why
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Curl Curl | Dee Why | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,899 | $4,237 | -$338 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,163 | $10,501 | -$338 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,650 | $8,650 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Curl Curl | Dee Why | 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 — Curl Curl vs Dee Why (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Curl Curl costs $338 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,875 in favour of Curl Curl.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $338 per year. Dee Why is 14.9 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, $8,650 and $8,650 a year, so the $338 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,766 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Curl Curl by $338 a year, $3,899 against $4,237.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 8.9 in Curl Curl against 6.7 in Dee Why, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Curl Curl cumulative | Dee Why cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,163 | $10,501 | $338 |
| Year 3 | $31,413 | $32,458 | $1,045 |
| Year 5 | $53,957 | $55,751 | $1,794 |
| Year 10 | $116,507 | $120,382 | $3,875 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Curl Curl or Dee Why cheaper to live in?
Curl Curl is cheaper to run by car at $10,163 per year versus $10,501 for Dee Why, a difference of $338 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Curl Curl and Dee Why?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Curl Curl (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Dee Why (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Curl Curl and $1,548 in Dee Why. 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 Curl Curl and Dee Why?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,899 from Curl Curl and $4,237 from Dee Why to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Curl Curl and $2,386 from Dee Why.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Curl Curl and Dee Why?
At 3% annual cost growth, Curl Curl costs a cumulative $116,507 and Dee Why costs $120,382 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,875 in favour of Curl Curl. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Curl Curl and Dee Why 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.