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35.7 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Berowra Waters, NSW 2082

Living in a house in Berowra Waters costs about $13,019 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Berowra Waters sits 35.7 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,619, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,100 body corporate levy. At 35.7km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,280 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Hornsby Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Costs 12% more to run than the Hornsby average, cheaper than only 22% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,680, roughly 51% of the annual total.
Flood risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$13,019
Driving · per year
$1,085/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,619
Incl. body corporate
$1,052/month
House vs unit difference
−$400
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Hornsby rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,541
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 35.7km from CBD · 192 days
$6,680
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Medium
$3,250
Total annual running cost
$13,019
($1,085/month)
↑ 12% above Hornsby average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 3.5/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 22% of Hornsby suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,148/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,716/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Berowra Waters's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Berowra Waters with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Berowra Waters to the CBD?
Public transport saves Berowra Waters residents $4,280 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,680 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Berowra Waters?
Berowra Waters falls under Hornsby Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,541 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,541 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Berowra Waters?
Running a unit in Berowra Waters costs approximately $12,619 per year by car or $8,339 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,541, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $750. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Hornsby rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.