Magenta vs The Entrance North: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Magenta and The Entrance North are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 69.3 km and 66 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $71 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 →Magenta
The Entrance North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Magenta | The Entrance North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,132 | $3,903 | -$771 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,800 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,386 | $9,457 | -$71 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,654 | $7,954 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Magenta | The Entrance North | 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 — Magenta vs The Entrance North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Magenta and The Entrance North cost within $71 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $814, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $771 per year. Magenta is 69.3 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $8,654 from Magenta versus $7,954 from The Entrance North.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Magenta cumulative | The Entrance North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,386 | $9,457 | $71 |
| Year 3 | $29,011 | $29,231 | $220 |
| Year 5 | $49,832 | $50,208 | $376 |
| Year 10 | $107,600 | $108,414 | $814 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Magenta or The Entrance North cheaper to live in?
Magenta is cheaper to run by car at $9,386 per year versus $9,457 for The Entrance North, a difference of $71 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Magenta and The Entrance North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Magenta (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in The Entrance North (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Magenta and $1,300 in The Entrance North. 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 Magenta and The Entrance North?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,132 from Magenta and $3,903 from The Entrance North to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Magenta and $2,400 from The Entrance North.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Magenta and The Entrance North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Magenta costs a cumulative $107,600 and The Entrance North costs $108,414 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $814 in favour of Magenta. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Magenta and The Entrance North 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.