True annual cost of living in Killcare Heights, NSW 2257
Living in a house in Killcare Heights costs about $12,288 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Killcare Heights sits 41.0 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $12,428, with the $2,100 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 41.0km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,584 more per year than public transport users.
Central Coast rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,454
Water & sewerage
Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 41.0km from CBD · 192 days
$6,984
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$2,550
Body corporate
Estimated
$2,100
Total annual running cost
$12,288
($1,024/month)
↑ 13% above Central Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○4.2/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 32% of Central Coast suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,342/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,909/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Killcare Heights's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Getting around Killcare Heights
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Wagstaffe, 2,700 m away, about a 34 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Nearest hospital
Woy Woy Public Hospital, 5,707 m away, about a 71 minute walk.
Supermarkets
1
Cafes
3
Parks
3
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Killcare Heights to the CBD?
Public transport saves Killcare Heights residents $4,584 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,984 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Killcare Heights?
Killcare Heights falls under Central Coast Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,454 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 $1,454 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Killcare Heights?
Running a unit in Killcare Heights costs approximately $12,428 per year by car or $7,844 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,454, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $590. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Killcare Heights close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Killcare Heights is Wagstaffe, a ferry stop about 2,700 m away, about a 34 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.
What is the closest hospital to Killcare Heights?
The closest hospital to the centre of Killcare Heights is Woy Woy Public Hospital, about 5,707 m away, about a 71 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.
What shops and parks are in Killcare Heights?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Killcare Heights there is 1 supermarket, 3 cafes and 3 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Central Coast rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/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.