Narrabeen vs North Narrabeen, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Narrabeen and North Narrabeen are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.1 km and 19.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $91 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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North Narrabeen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Narrabeen | North Narrabeen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,080 | $5,171 | -$91 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,394 | $10,485 | -$91 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,700 | $7,700 | - |
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 | Narrabeen | North Narrabeen | 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, Narrabeen vs North Narrabeen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Narrabeen and North Narrabeen cost within $91 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,043, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $91 per year. North Narrabeen is 19.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,700 and $7,700 a year, so the $91 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Narrabeen by $91 a year, $5,080 against $5,171.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Narrabeen cumulative | North Narrabeen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,394 | $10,485 | $91 |
| Year 3 | $32,127 | $32,408 | $281 |
| Year 5 | $55,183 | $55,666 | $483 |
| Year 10 | $119,156 | $120,199 | $1,043 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Narrabeen or North Narrabeen cheaper to live in?
Narrabeen is cheaper to run by car at $10,394 per year versus $10,485 for North Narrabeen, a difference of $91 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Narrabeen and North Narrabeen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Narrabeen (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in North Narrabeen (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Narrabeen and $1,548 in North Narrabeen. 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 Narrabeen and North Narrabeen?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,080 from Narrabeen and $5,171 from North Narrabeen to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Narrabeen and $2,386 from North Narrabeen.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Narrabeen and North Narrabeen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Narrabeen costs a cumulative $119,156 and North Narrabeen costs $120,199 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,043 in favour of Narrabeen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Narrabeen and North Narrabeen 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.