Ku-Ring-Gai Chase vs Lovett Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and Lovett Bay are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.3 km and 27.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase
Lovett Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ku-Ring-Gai Chase | Lovett Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,077 | $6,077 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,941 | $11,941 | - |
| 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 | Ku-Ring-Gai Chase | Lovett Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,148 | -$50 |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,716 | -$37 |
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 — Ku-Ring-Gai Chase vs Lovett Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and Lovett Bay cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,264 and $8,264 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ku-Ring-Gai Chase cumulative | Lovett Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,941 | $11,941 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $36,908 | $36,908 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $63,396 | $63,396 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $136,890 | $136,890 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ku-Ring-Gai Chase or Lovett Bay cheaper to live in?
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase is cheaper to run by car at $11,941 per year versus $11,941 for Lovett Bay, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and Lovett Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Lovett Bay (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and $1,548 in Lovett Bay. 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 Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and Lovett Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,077 from Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and $6,077 from Lovett Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and $2,400 from Lovett Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and Lovett Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase costs a cumulative $136,890 and Lovett Bay costs $136,890 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and Lovett Bay 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.
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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.