Mona Vale vs Warriewood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mona Vale and Warriewood are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23.2 km and 21.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $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 →Mona Vale
Warriewood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mona Vale | Warriewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,566 | $5,344 | +$222 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $3,250 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,830 | $11,908 | -$78 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,664 | $8,964 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mona Vale | Warriewood | 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 — Mona Vale vs Warriewood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mona Vale and Warriewood 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 home insurance at $300 per year. Warriewood carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,664 from Mona Vale versus $8,964 from Warriewood.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mona Vale cumulative | Warriewood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,830 | $11,908 | $78 |
| Year 3 | $36,565 | $36,806 | $241 |
| Year 5 | $62,807 | $63,221 | $414 |
| Year 10 | $135,618 | $136,512 | $894 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mona Vale or Warriewood cheaper to live in?
Mona Vale is cheaper to run by car at $11,830 per year versus $11,908 for Warriewood, a difference of $78 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mona Vale and Warriewood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Mona Vale (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Warriewood (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mona Vale and $1,548 in Warriewood. 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 Warriewood?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,566 from Mona Vale and $5,344 from Warriewood to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mona Vale and $2,400 from Warriewood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mona Vale and Warriewood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mona Vale costs a cumulative $135,618 and Warriewood costs $136,512 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $894 in favour of Mona Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mona Vale and Warriewood 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.