Duffys Forest vs St Ives Chase: 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 St Ives Chase (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 18.6 km).
Duffys Forest runs $350 a year cheaper than St Ives Chase, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,012.
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
St Ives Chase
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duffys Forest | St Ives Chase | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $2,189 | -$423 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,297 | $4,824 | +$473 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,386 | +$14 |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,550 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,761 | $11,111 | -$350 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,864 | $8,673 | -$809 |
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 | St Ives Chase | 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 St Ives Chase (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Duffys Forest costs $350 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,012 in favour of Duffys Forest.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $473 per year. Duffys Forest is 21.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $809 per year, $7,864 from Duffys Forest versus $8,673 from St Ives Chase.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duffys Forest cumulative | St Ives Chase cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,761 | $11,111 | $350 |
| Year 3 | $33,261 | $34,343 | $1,082 |
| Year 5 | $57,132 | $58,990 | $1,858 |
| Year 10 | $123,363 | $127,375 | $4,012 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duffys Forest or St Ives Chase cheaper to live in?
Duffys Forest is cheaper to run by car at $10,761 per year versus $11,111 for St Ives Chase, a difference of $350 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 St Ives Chase?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Duffys Forest (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $2,189 in St Ives Chase (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Duffys Forest and $1,548 in St Ives Chase. 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 St Ives Chase?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,297 from Duffys Forest and $4,824 from St Ives Chase to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Duffys Forest and $2,386 from St Ives Chase.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duffys Forest and St Ives Chase?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duffys Forest costs a cumulative $123,363 and St Ives Chase costs $127,375 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,012 in favour of Duffys Forest. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duffys Forest and St Ives Chase is best to actually live in?
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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.