Dee Why vs North Curl Curl: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dee Why and North Curl Curl are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.9 km and 13.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $269 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 →Dee Why
North Curl Curl
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dee Why | North Curl Curl | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,237 | $3,968 | +$269 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,501 | $10,232 | +$269 |
| 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 | Dee Why | North Curl Curl | 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 — Dee Why vs North Curl Curl (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dee Why and North Curl Curl cost within $269 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,084, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $269 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 $269 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 North Curl Curl by $269 a year, $3,968 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 North Curl Curl against 6.7 in Dee Why, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dee Why cumulative | North Curl Curl cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,501 | $10,232 | $269 |
| Year 3 | $32,458 | $31,626 | $832 |
| Year 5 | $55,751 | $54,323 | $1,428 |
| Year 10 | $120,382 | $117,298 | $3,084 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dee Why or North Curl Curl cheaper to live in?
North Curl Curl is cheaper to run by car at $10,232 per year versus $10,501 for Dee Why, a difference of $269 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dee Why and North Curl Curl?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Dee Why (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in North Curl Curl (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dee Why and $1,548 in North Curl Curl. 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 North Curl Curl?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,237 from Dee Why and $3,968 from North Curl Curl to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Dee Why and $2,386 from North Curl Curl.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dee Why and North Curl Curl?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dee Why costs a cumulative $120,382 and North Curl Curl costs $117,298 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,084 in favour of North Curl Curl. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dee Why and North Curl Curl 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.