True annual cost of living in North Sydney, NSW 2060
Living in a house in North Sydney costs about $5,863 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. North Sydney sits 3.4 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $7,943, with the $3,500 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Transport mode has the biggest effect on total cost in a suburb this close to the city.
Cheaper to run than 100% of North Sydney Council 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 North Sydney'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 North Sydney
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Victoria Cross, 296 m away, about a 4 minute walk. It is a metro stop.
Nearest hospital
The Mater Hospital, 1,030 m away, about a 13 minute walk.
Supermarkets
19
Cafes
117
Parks
135
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 North Sydney to the CBD?
Driving saves North Sydney residents $782 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,138 versus $1,920 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in North Sydney?
North Sydney falls under North Sydney Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,327 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 $1,327 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in North Sydney?
Running a unit in North Sydney costs approximately $7,943 per year by car or $8,725 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,327, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $3,500, and contents insurance of $430. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is North Sydney close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of North Sydney is Victoria Cross, a metro stop about 296 m away, about a 4 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 North Sydney?
The closest hospital to the centre of North Sydney is The Mater Hospital, about 1,030 m away, about a 13 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 North Sydney?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of North Sydney there are 19 supermarkets, 117 cafes and 135 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: North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in 2026-27, Final Report June 2026). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. 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.