Anna Bay vs Bobs Farm: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Anna Bay and Bobs Farm are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 146.2 km and 144.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Anna Bay
Bobs Farm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Anna Bay | Bobs Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,892 | $23,892 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,692 | $8,692 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Anna Bay | Bobs Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Anna Bay vs Bobs Farm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Anna Bay and Bobs Farm cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,692 and $8,692 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Anna Bay cumulative | Bobs Farm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,892 | $23,892 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,848 | $73,848 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $126,846 | $126,846 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $273,895 | $273,895 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anna Bay or Bobs Farm cheaper to live in?
Anna Bay is cheaper to run by car at $23,892 per year versus $23,892 for Bobs Farm, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Anna Bay and Bobs Farm?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Anna Bay (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Bobs Farm (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Anna Bay and $1,377 in Bobs Farm. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Anna Bay and Bobs Farm?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Anna Bay and $17,600 from Bobs Farm to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Anna Bay and $2,400 from Bobs Farm.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Anna Bay and Bobs Farm?
At 3% annual cost growth, Anna Bay costs a cumulative $273,895 and Bobs Farm costs $273,895 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Anna Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Anna Bay and Bobs Farm is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Port Stephens rates (OLG and Port Stephens rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.