Mount Colah vs North Turramurra: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Colah (Hornsby rates (OLG) and North Turramurra (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (23.2 km and 20.4 km).
The two sit within $203 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 →Mount Colah
North Turramurra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Colah | North Turramurra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,541 | $2,189 | -$648 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,756 | $5,311 | +$445 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,395 | $11,598 | -$203 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,039 | $8,687 | -$648 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Colah | North Turramurra | 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 — Mount Colah vs North Turramurra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Colah and North Turramurra cost within $203 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,327, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $648 per year.
On public transport the gap is $648 per year, $8,039 from Mount Colah versus $8,687 from North Turramurra.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Mount Colah by $648 a year, $1,541 against $2,189.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Turramurra by $445 a year, $5,311 against $5,756.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,550 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
The catchment state school scores 10 in North Turramurra against 8.1 in Mount Colah, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Colah cumulative | North Turramurra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,395 | $11,598 | $203 |
| Year 3 | $35,221 | $35,848 | $627 |
| Year 5 | $60,498 | $61,575 | $1,077 |
| Year 10 | $130,631 | $132,958 | $2,327 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Colah or North Turramurra cheaper to live in?
Mount Colah is cheaper to run by car at $11,395 per year versus $11,598 for North Turramurra, a difference of $203 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Colah and North Turramurra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,541 in Mount Colah (Hornsby rates (OLG) and $2,189 in North Turramurra (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mount Colah and $1,548 in North Turramurra. 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 Mount Colah and North Turramurra?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,756 from Mount Colah and $5,311 from North Turramurra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Colah and $2,400 from North Turramurra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Colah and North Turramurra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Colah costs a cumulative $130,631 and North Turramurra costs $132,958 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,327 in favour of Mount Colah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Colah and North Turramurra 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: Hornsby rates (OLG and Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in 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.