North Wahroonga vs St Ives Chase: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North Wahroonga and St Ives Chase are both Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in suburbs, sitting 20.4 km and 18.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
St Ives Chase runs $312 a year cheaper than North Wahroonga, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,577.
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 →North Wahroonga
St Ives Chase
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Wahroonga | St Ives Chase | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,189 | $2,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,136 | $4,824 | +$312 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,386 | +$14 |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,423 | $11,111 | +$312 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,687 | $8,673 | +$14 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | North Wahroonga | St Ives Chase | 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 — North Wahroonga vs St Ives Chase (2026-27)
What the numbers show
St Ives Chase costs $312 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,577 in favour of St Ives Chase.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $312 per year. North Wahroonga is 20.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,687 and $8,673 a year, so the $312 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Wahroonga cumulative | St Ives Chase cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,423 | $11,111 | $312 |
| Year 3 | $35,307 | $34,343 | $964 |
| Year 5 | $60,646 | $58,990 | $1,656 |
| Year 10 | $130,952 | $127,375 | $3,577 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Wahroonga or St Ives Chase cheaper to live in?
St Ives Chase is cheaper to run by car at $11,111 per year versus $11,423 for North Wahroonga, a difference of $312 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Wahroonga and St Ives Chase?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,189 in North Wahroonga (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in) and $2,189 in St Ives Chase (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North Wahroonga and $1,548 in St Ives Chase. 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 North Wahroonga and St Ives Chase?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,136 from North Wahroonga and $4,824 from St Ives Chase to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Wahroonga and $2,386 from St Ives Chase.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Wahroonga and St Ives Chase?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Wahroonga costs a cumulative $130,952 and St Ives Chase costs $127,375 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,577 in favour of St Ives Chase. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Wahroonga and St Ives Chase 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: Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.