Davidson vs St Ives: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Davidson (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and St Ives (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (14.6 km and 15.8 km).
The two sit within $284 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 →Davidson
St Ives
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Davidson | St Ives | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $2,189 | -$423 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,170 | $4,431 | -$261 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,150 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,034 | $10,318 | -$284 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,250 | $8,273 | -$23 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Davidson | St Ives | 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 — Davidson vs St Ives (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Davidson and St Ives cost within $284 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,255, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $423 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,250 and $8,273 a year, so the $284 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Davidson by $423 a year, $1,766 against $2,189.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Davidson by $261 a year, $4,170 against $4,431.
- Building insurance favours St Ives by $400 a year, $2,150 against $2,550.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Davidson against medium in St Ives, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Davidson cumulative | St Ives cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,034 | $10,318 | $284 |
| Year 3 | $31,014 | $31,892 | $878 |
| Year 5 | $53,272 | $54,780 | $1,508 |
| Year 10 | $115,029 | $118,284 | $3,255 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Davidson or St Ives cheaper to live in?
Davidson is cheaper to run by car at $10,034 per year versus $10,318 for St Ives, a difference of $284 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Davidson and St Ives?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Davidson (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $2,189 in St Ives (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Davidson and $1,548 in St Ives. 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 Davidson and St Ives?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,170 from Davidson and $4,431 from St Ives to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Davidson and $2,386 from St Ives.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Davidson and St Ives?
At 3% annual cost growth, Davidson costs a cumulative $115,029 and St Ives costs $118,284 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,255 in favour of Davidson. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Davidson and St Ives 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 Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% 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.