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20.6 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Terrey Hills, NSW 2084

Living in a house in Terrey Hills costs about $11,033 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Terrey Hills sits 20.6 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $11,373, with the $2,300 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 20.6km from the CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $2,769. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

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

3 key insights
Running costs sit near the Northern Beaches average, cheaper than 44% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $5,169, roughly 47% of the annual total.
Bushfire 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
$11,033
Driving · per year
$919/month
Unit annual cost
$11,373
Incl. body corporate
$948/month
House vs unit difference
+$340
Unit costs more 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 88c/km · 20.6km from CBD · 192 days
$5,169
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire High
$2,550
Total annual running cost
$11,033
($919/month)
Near Northern Beaches average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 4.8/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 44% of Northern Beaches suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,148/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,716/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Terrey Hills's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Terrey Hills with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Terrey Hills to the CBD?
Public transport saves Terrey Hills residents $2,769 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $5,169 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Terrey Hills?
Terrey Hills 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 Terrey Hills?
Running a unit in Terrey Hills costs approximately $11,373 per year by car or $8,604 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,766, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $2,300, and contents insurance of $590. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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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 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.