Manly vs Queenscliff: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Manly and Queenscliff are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 10.4 km and 11.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $78 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 →Manly
Queenscliff
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Manly | Queenscliff | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,162 | $3,540 | -$378 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,950 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,726 | $9,804 | -$78 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,950 | $8,650 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Manly | Queenscliff | 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 — Manly vs Queenscliff (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manly and Queenscliff cost within $78 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $894, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $378 per year. Queenscliff is 11.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,950 from Manly versus $8,650 from Queenscliff.
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 favours Manly by $378 a year, $3,162 against $3,540.
- Building insurance favours Queenscliff by $300 a year, $2,950 against $3,250.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Manly against low in Queenscliff, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Manly cumulative | Queenscliff cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,726 | $9,804 | $78 |
| Year 3 | $30,062 | $30,303 | $241 |
| Year 5 | $51,637 | $52,051 | $414 |
| Year 10 | $111,498 | $112,392 | $894 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manly or Queenscliff cheaper to live in?
Manly is cheaper to run by car at $9,726 per year versus $9,804 for Queenscliff, a difference of $78 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Manly and Queenscliff?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Manly (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Queenscliff (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Manly and $1,548 in Queenscliff. 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 Manly and Queenscliff?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,162 from Manly and $3,540 from Queenscliff to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Manly and $2,386 from Queenscliff.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Manly and Queenscliff?
At 3% annual cost growth, Manly costs a cumulative $111,498 and Queenscliff costs $112,392 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $894 in favour of Manly. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Manly and Queenscliff 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.