Mona Vale vs Newport, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mona Vale and Newport are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23.2 km and 25.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $60 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.
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Newport
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mona Vale | Newport | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,756 | $6,096 | -$340 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,450 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,920 | $10,860 | +$60 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,564 | $7,164 | +$400 |
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 | Mona Vale | Newport | 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, Mona Vale vs Newport (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mona Vale and Newport cost within $60 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $688, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Mona Vale carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,564 from Mona Vale versus $7,164 from Newport.
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 Mona Vale by $340 a year, $5,756 against $6,096.
- Building insurance favours Newport by $400 a year, $1,450 against $1,850.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Mona Vale against medium in Newport, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mona Vale cumulative | Newport cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,920 | $10,860 | $60 |
| Year 3 | $33,753 | $33,567 | $186 |
| Year 5 | $57,976 | $57,657 | $319 |
| Year 10 | $125,186 | $124,498 | $688 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mona Vale or Newport cheaper to live in?
Newport is cheaper to run by car at $10,860 per year versus $10,920 for Mona Vale, a difference of $60 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mona Vale and Newport?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Mona Vale (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Newport (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mona Vale and $1,548 in Newport. 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 Mona Vale and Newport?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,756 from Mona Vale and $6,096 from Newport to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mona Vale and $2,400 from Newport.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mona Vale and Newport?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mona Vale costs a cumulative $125,186 and Newport costs $124,498 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $688 in favour of Newport. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mona Vale and Newport 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.