Long Beach vs Surfside: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Long Beach and Surfside are both Eurobodalla rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 222.7 km and 223.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Surfside runs $400 a year cheaper than Long Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Long Beach
Surfside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Long Beach | Surfside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,285 | $1,285 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,685 | $23,285 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,485 | $8,085 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Long Beach | Surfside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Long Beach vs Surfside (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Surfside costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Surfside.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Long Beach carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,485 from Long Beach versus $8,085 from Surfside.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Long Beach cumulative | Surfside cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,685 | $23,285 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $73,208 | $71,972 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $125,747 | $123,623 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $271,522 | $266,936 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Long Beach or Surfside cheaper to live in?
Surfside is cheaper to run by car at $23,285 per year versus $23,685 for Long Beach, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Long Beach and Surfside?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,285 in Long Beach (Eurobodalla rates (OLG) and $1,285 in Surfside (Eurobodalla rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Long Beach and $1,300 in Surfside. 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 Long Beach and Surfside?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Long Beach and $17,600 from Surfside to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Long Beach and $2,400 from Surfside.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Long Beach and Surfside?
At 3% annual cost growth, Long Beach costs a cumulative $271,522 and Surfside costs $266,936 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Surfside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Long Beach and Surfside 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: Eurobodalla rates (OLG and Eurobodalla 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.