Ingleside vs Terrey Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ingleside and Terrey Hills are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 20.2 km and 20.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $67 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 →Ingleside
Terrey Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ingleside | Terrey Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,102 | $5,169 | -$67 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,966 | $11,033 | -$67 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,264 | $8,264 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ingleside | Terrey Hills | 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 — Ingleside vs Terrey Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ingleside and Terrey Hills cost within $67 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $768, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $67 per year. Terrey Hills is 20.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,264 and $8,264 a year, so the $67 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ingleside cumulative | Terrey Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,966 | $11,033 | $67 |
| Year 3 | $33,895 | $34,102 | $207 |
| Year 5 | $58,220 | $58,576 | $356 |
| Year 10 | $125,713 | $126,481 | $768 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ingleside or Terrey Hills cheaper to live in?
Ingleside is cheaper to run by car at $10,966 per year versus $11,033 for Terrey Hills, a difference of $67 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ingleside and Terrey Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Ingleside (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Terrey Hills (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Ingleside and $1,548 in Terrey Hills. 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 Ingleside and Terrey Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,102 from Ingleside and $5,169 from Terrey Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ingleside and $2,400 from Terrey Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ingleside and Terrey Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ingleside costs a cumulative $125,713 and Terrey Hills costs $126,481 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $768 in favour of Ingleside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ingleside and Terrey Hills 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.