Killarney Heights vs Middle Cove: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Killarney Heights (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and Middle Cove (Willoughby rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (10.3 km and 8.6 km).
Middle Cove runs $813 a year cheaper than Killarney Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,320.
Over 10 years, Middle Cove costs about $9,300 less to run than Killarney Heights — the same as paying $9,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Middle Cove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Killarney Heights | Middle Cove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,341 | +$425 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,032 | $2,594 | +$438 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $1,920 | +$466 |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,600 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,896 | $8,083 | +$813 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,250 | $7,409 | +$841 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Killarney Heights | Middle Cove | 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 — Killarney Heights vs Middle Cove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Middle Cove costs $813 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,320 in favour of Middle Cove.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $438 per year. Killarney Heights is 10.3 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $841 per year, $8,250 from Killarney Heights versus $7,409 from Middle Cove.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Killarney Heights cumulative | Middle Cove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,896 | $8,083 | $813 |
| Year 3 | $27,497 | $24,984 | $2,513 |
| Year 5 | $47,230 | $42,914 | $4,316 |
| Year 10 | $101,983 | $92,663 | $9,320 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Killarney Heights or Middle Cove cheaper to live in?
Middle Cove is cheaper to run by car at $8,083 per year versus $8,896 for Killarney Heights, a difference of $813 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Killarney Heights and Middle Cove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Killarney Heights (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Middle Cove (Willoughby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Killarney Heights and $1,548 in Middle Cove. 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 Killarney Heights and Middle Cove?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,032 from Killarney Heights and $2,594 from Middle Cove to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Killarney Heights and $1,920 from Middle Cove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Killarney Heights and Middle Cove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Killarney Heights costs a cumulative $101,983 and Middle Cove costs $92,663 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,320 in favour of Middle Cove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Killarney Heights and Middle Cove is best to actually live in?
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Sources: Northern Beaches rates (OLG and Willoughby 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.