Compare suburbs Suburbs Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog
Map of Tamarama
6.7 km from CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Tamarama

True annual cost of living in Tamarama, NSW 2026

Living in a house in Tamarama costs about $7,916 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Tamarama sits 6.7 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $8,246, with the $2,600 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $154 per year at this distance.

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

3 key insights
Costs 15% more to run than the Waverley average, cheaper than only 11% of suburbs in the region.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $2,950, roughly 37% 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 →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$7,916
Driving · per year
$660/month
Unit annual cost
$8,246
Incl. body corporate
$687/month
House vs unit difference
+$330
Unit costs more per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Waverley rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,344
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 6.7km from CBD · 192 days
$2,074
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Low
$2,950
Total annual running cost
$7,916
($660/month)
↑ 15% above Waverley average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 3.5/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 11% of Waverley 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 Tamarama's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Tamarama with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Tamarama to the CBD?
Public transport saves Tamarama residents $154 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,074 versus $1,920 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Tamarama?
Tamarama falls under Waverley Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,344 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 $1,344 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Tamarama?
Running a unit in Tamarama costs approximately $8,246 per year by car or $8,092 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,344, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,600, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Free 5-page PDF report. Enter your suburbs below.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
When are you planning to buy or move?
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Waverley 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.