Ku-Ring-Gai Chase vs Lovett Bay, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Ku-Ring-Gai Chase
Lovett Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ku-Ring-Gai Chase | Lovett Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,284 | $6,284 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,198 | $11,198 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,314 | $7,314 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ku-Ring-Gai Chase | Lovett Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,292 | $2,342 | -$50 |
| Unit | $1,871 | $1,909 | -$38 |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; 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, $7,314 and $7,314 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,766 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $6,284 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,600 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ku-Ring-Gai Chase cumulative | Lovett Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,198 | $11,198 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $34,612 | $34,612 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $59,452 | $59,452 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $128,373 | $128,373 | $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 $11,198 per year versus $11,198 for Lovett Bay, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,284 from Ku-Ring-Gai Chase and $6,284 from Lovett Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $128,373 and Lovett Bay costs $128,373 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 suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.