North Willoughby vs Roseville: 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 Willoughby (Willoughby rates (OLG) and Roseville (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 (8.3 km and 9.7 km).
North Willoughby runs $1,514 a year cheaper than Roseville, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $17,356.
Over 10 years, North Willoughby costs about $17,400 less to run than Roseville — the same as paying $17,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Roseville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Willoughby | Roseville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $2,189 | -$848 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,514 | $2,880 | -$366 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,253 | $8,767 | -$1,514 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,659 | $7,807 | -$1,148 |
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 Willoughby | Roseville | 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 Willoughby vs Roseville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Willoughby costs $1,514 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $17,356 in favour of North Willoughby.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $848 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,148 per year, $6,659 from North Willoughby versus $7,807 from Roseville.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Willoughby cumulative | Roseville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,253 | $8,767 | $1,514 |
| Year 3 | $22,418 | $27,098 | $4,680 |
| Year 5 | $38,507 | $46,545 | $8,038 |
| Year 10 | $83,148 | $100,504 | $17,356 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Willoughby or Roseville cheaper to live in?
North Willoughby is cheaper to run by car at $7,253 per year versus $8,767 for Roseville, a difference of $1,514 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Willoughby and Roseville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in North Willoughby (Willoughby rates (OLG) and $2,189 in Roseville (Ku-ring-gai Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 29% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in North Willoughby and $1,548 in Roseville. 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 Willoughby and Roseville?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,514 from North Willoughby and $2,880 from Roseville to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from North Willoughby and $1,920 from Roseville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Willoughby and Roseville?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Willoughby costs a cumulative $83,148 and Roseville costs $100,504 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $17,356 in favour of North Willoughby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Willoughby and Roseville 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: Willoughby 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.