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Map of Pittwater
27.9 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Pittwater, NSW 0000

Living in a house in Pittwater costs about $12,613 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Pittwater sits 27.9 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,443, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,100 body corporate levy. At 27.9km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $3,949. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Last updated July 2026 · Northern Beaches Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Costs 17% more to run than the Northern Beaches average, cheaper than only 9% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,349, roughly 50% 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
$12,613
Driving · per year
$1,051/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,443
Incl. body corporate
$1,037/month
House vs unit difference
−$170
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 91c/km · 27.9km from CBD · 192 days
$6,349
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Low
$2,950
Total annual running cost
$12,613
($1,051/month)
↑ 17% above Northern Beaches average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 3.2/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 9% of Northern Beaches suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,292/yr
5,086 kWh
Unit
$1,871/yr
3,815 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Pittwater'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 Pittwater

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Halls Wharf, 838 m away, about a 10 minute walk. It is a ferry stop.
Nearest hospital
Arcadia Pittwater Private Hospital, 5,479 m away, about a 68 minute walk.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
1
Parks
13
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.

Compare Pittwater with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Pittwater

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Pittwater to the CBD?

Public transport saves Pittwater residents $3,949 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,349 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Pittwater?

Pittwater 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 Pittwater?

Running a unit in Pittwater costs approximately $12,443 per year by car or $8,494 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 $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Pittwater close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Pittwater is Halls Wharf, a ferry stop about 838 m away, about a 10 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 Pittwater?

The closest hospital to the centre of Pittwater is Arcadia Pittwater Private Hospital, about 5,479 m away, about a 68 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 Pittwater?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Pittwater there are 0 supermarkets, 1 cafe and 13 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: Northern Beaches rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). 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.