Kurraba Point vs Neutral 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
Kurraba Point and Neutral Bay are both North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in suburbs, sitting 3.1 km and 3.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $192 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 →Kurraba Point
Neutral Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kurraba Point | Neutral Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,327 | $1,327 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,041 | $1,233 | -$192 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,216 | $6,408 | -$192 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,095 | $7,095 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kurraba Point | Neutral Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Kurraba Point vs Neutral Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kurraba Point and Neutral Bay cost within $192 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,202, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $192 per year. Neutral Bay is 3.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,095 and $7,095 a year, so the $192 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,327 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kurraba Point by $192 a year, $1,041 against $1,233.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 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. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kurraba Point cumulative | Neutral Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,216 | $6,408 | $192 |
| Year 3 | $19,213 | $19,806 | $593 |
| Year 5 | $33,002 | $34,021 | $1,019 |
| Year 10 | $71,259 | $73,461 | $2,202 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kurraba Point or Neutral Bay cheaper to live in?
Kurraba Point is cheaper to run by car at $6,216 per year versus $6,408 for Neutral Bay, a difference of $192 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kurraba Point and Neutral Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,327 in Kurraba Point (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and $1,327 in Neutral Bay (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Kurraba Point and $1,548 in Neutral 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 Kurraba Point and Neutral Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,041 from Kurraba Point and $1,233 from Neutral Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Kurraba Point and $1,920 from Neutral Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kurraba Point and Neutral Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kurraba Point costs a cumulative $71,259 and Neutral Bay costs $73,461 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,202 in favour of Kurraba Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kurraba Point and Neutral 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in and North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.