Dee Why vs Narraweena: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dee Why and Narraweena are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.9 km and 14.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Narraweena runs $1,185 a year cheaper than Dee Why, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,584.
Over 10 years, Narraweena costs about $13,600 less to run than Dee Why — the same as paying $13,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Dee Why
Narraweena
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dee Why | Narraweena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,097 | $4,012 | +$85 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $1,850 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,361 | $9,176 | +$1,185 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,650 | $7,550 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dee Why | Narraweena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Dee Why vs Narraweena (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Narraweena costs $1,185 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,584 in favour of Narraweena.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Dee Why carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,650 from Dee Why versus $7,550 from Narraweena.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dee Why cumulative | Narraweena cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,361 | $9,176 | $1,185 |
| Year 3 | $32,025 | $28,362 | $3,663 |
| Year 5 | $55,008 | $48,717 | $6,291 |
| Year 10 | $118,777 | $105,193 | $13,584 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dee Why or Narraweena cheaper to live in?
Narraweena is cheaper to run by car at $9,176 per year versus $10,361 for Dee Why, a difference of $1,185 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dee Why and Narraweena?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Dee Why (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Narraweena (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dee Why and $1,548 in Narraweena. 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 Dee Why and Narraweena?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,097 from Dee Why and $4,012 from Narraweena to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Dee Why and $2,386 from Narraweena.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dee Why and Narraweena?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dee Why costs a cumulative $118,777 and Narraweena costs $105,193 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,584 in favour of Narraweena. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dee Why and Narraweena 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.