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 $178 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 the gap between these two is about $2,000, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Queenscliff
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Manly | Queenscliff | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,162 | $3,540 | -$378 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,776 | $8,954 | -$178 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,000 | $7,800 | +$200 |
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 | 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 differ by $178 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $378, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
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 $200 per year, $8,000 from Manly versus $7,800 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 $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
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 | $8,776 | $8,954 | $178 |
| Year 3 | $27,126 | $27,676 | $550 |
| Year 5 | $46,593 | $47,538 | $945 |
| Year 10 | $100,607 | $102,648 | $2,041 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manly or Queenscliff cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Manly runs $8,776 a year by car and Queenscliff $8,954, but most of the $178 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $378. 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 $100,607 and Queenscliff costs $102,648 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,041 in favour of Manly. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Manly and Queenscliff suits you better?
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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.