Denhams Beach vs Surf Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Denhams Beach and Surf Beach are both Eurobodalla rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 228.2 km and 229.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $50 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 →Denhams Beach
Surf Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Denhams Beach | Surf Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,285 | $1,285 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,850 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,985 | $23,035 | -$50 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,785 | $7,835 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Denhams Beach | Surf Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Denhams Beach vs Surf Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Denhams Beach and Surf Beach cost within $50 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $573, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Surf Beach carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,785 and $7,835 a year, so the $50 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Denhams Beach cumulative | Surf Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,985 | $23,035 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $71,044 | $71,199 | $155 |
| Year 5 | $122,030 | $122,296 | $266 |
| Year 10 | $263,497 | $264,070 | $573 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Denhams Beach or Surf Beach cheaper to live in?
Denhams Beach is cheaper to run by car at $22,985 per year versus $23,035 for Surf Beach, a difference of $50 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Denhams Beach and Surf Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,285 in Denhams Beach (Eurobodalla rates (OLG) and $1,285 in Surf Beach (Eurobodalla rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Denhams Beach and $1,300 in Surf Beach. 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 Denhams Beach and Surf Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Denhams Beach and $17,600 from Surf Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Denhams Beach and $2,400 from Surf Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Denhams Beach and Surf Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Denhams Beach costs a cumulative $263,497 and Surf Beach costs $264,070 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $573 in favour of Denhams Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Denhams Beach and Surf Beach 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: Eurobodalla rates (OLG and Eurobodalla 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.