True annual cost of living in Merricks Beach, VIC 3926
Living in a house in Merricks Beach costs about $9,241 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Merricks Beach sits 65.6 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. Unit costs reach $9,811, with the $2,100 owners corporation levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 65.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $1,893 more per year than public transport users.
About $178 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$9,811
Incl. owners corporation
$818/month
About $189 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$570
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Mornington Peninsula rates
$1,761
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 South East Water
$1,514
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 65.6km from CBD · 192 days
$4,116
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Medium
$1,850
Owners corporation
Estimated
$2,100
Total annual running cost
$9,241
($770/month, $178/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy on your rates notice: $139 a year plus 17.3 cents per $1,000 of your home's capital improved value (2026-27).
↓ 10% below Mornington Peninsula Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.6/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 63% of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$1,759/yr
4,840 kWh
Unit
$1,428/yr
3,630 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Merricks Beach'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 Merricks Beach
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
1
Parks
3
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. 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 Merricks Beach to the CBD?
Public transport saves Merricks Beach residents $1,893 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,116 versus $2,223 by public transport using a yearly myki Pass at the 2026 standard full fare.
What are the council rates in Merricks Beach?
Merricks Beach falls under Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,761 per year, from the council's budget: residential rate revenue divided by the number of residential assessments, plus the council's municipal charge where it sets one. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, so individual properties pay more or less than the average. The figure excludes waste charges and the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.
What does it cost to run a unit in Merricks Beach?
Running a unit in Merricks Beach costs approximately $9,811 per year by car or $7,918 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,761, water and sewerage $1,514, estimated owners corporation levy of $2,100, and contents insurance of $320. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Merricks Beach close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Merricks Beach. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.
What shops and parks are in Merricks Beach?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Merricks Beach there are 0 supermarkets, 1 cafe and 3 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.
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Data sources: Council rates: Mornington Peninsula rates (2026-27 budget). Water: South East Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Flood: Victorian planning scheme flood overlays (FO, LSIO, SBO). Fire: Bushfire Management Overlay and Bushfire Prone Area. Data last verified November 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.