Duffys Forest vs North Turramurra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Duffys Forest (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and North Turramurra (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 (21.4 km and 20.4 km).
Duffys Forest runs $662 a year cheaper than North Turramurra, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,589.
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 →Duffys Forest
North Turramurra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duffys Forest | North Turramurra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $2,189 | -$423 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,297 | $5,136 | +$161 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,550 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,761 | $11,423 | -$662 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,864 | $8,687 | -$823 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Duffys Forest | North Turramurra | 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 — Duffys Forest vs North Turramurra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Duffys Forest costs $662 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,589 in favour of Duffys Forest.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $423 per year.
On public transport the gap is $823 per year, $7,864 from Duffys Forest versus $8,687 from North Turramurra.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duffys Forest cumulative | North Turramurra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,761 | $11,423 | $662 |
| Year 3 | $33,261 | $35,307 | $2,046 |
| Year 5 | $57,132 | $60,646 | $3,514 |
| Year 10 | $123,363 | $130,952 | $7,589 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duffys Forest or North Turramurra cheaper to live in?
Duffys Forest is cheaper to run by car at $10,761 per year versus $11,423 for North Turramurra, a difference of $662 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Duffys Forest and North Turramurra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Duffys Forest (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $2,189 in North Turramurra (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Duffys Forest and $1,548 in North Turramurra. 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 Duffys Forest and North Turramurra?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,297 from Duffys Forest and $5,136 from North Turramurra to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Duffys Forest and $2,400 from North Turramurra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duffys Forest and North Turramurra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duffys Forest costs a cumulative $123,363 and North Turramurra costs $130,952 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,589 in favour of Duffys Forest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duffys Forest and North Turramurra 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.