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32.0 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Great Mackerel Beach, NSW 2108

Living in a house in Great Mackerel Beach costs about $12,802 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Great Mackerel Beach sits 32.0 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,592, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,100 body corporate levy. At 32.0km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,088 more per year than public transport users.

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

3 key insights
Costs 21% more to run than the Northern Beaches average, cheaper than only 2% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,488, roughly 51% of the annual total.
Bushfire 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
$12,802
Driving · per year
$1,067/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,592
Incl. body corporate
$1,049/month
House vs unit difference
−$210
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Northern Beaches rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,766
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 32.0km from CBD · 192 days
$6,488
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire High
$3,000
Total annual running cost
$12,802
($1,067/month)
↑ 21% above Northern Beaches average
SuburbCost affordability score ●○○○○ 2.7/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 2% of Northern Beaches 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 Great Mackerel Beach's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Great Mackerel Beach with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Great Mackerel Beach to the CBD?
Public transport saves Great Mackerel Beach residents $4,088 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,488 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Great Mackerel Beach?
Great Mackerel Beach falls under Northern Beaches Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,766 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 $1,766 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Great Mackerel Beach?
Running a unit in Great Mackerel Beach costs approximately $12,592 per year by car or $8,504 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,766, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $690. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Northern Beaches 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.