Anna Bay vs Fishermans Bay, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Anna Bay and Fishermans Bay are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32 km and 33 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $284 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.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,300, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Fishermans Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Anna Bay | Fishermans Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,709 | $6,775 | -$66 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $1,700 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,551 | $11,267 | +$284 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,242 | $6,892 | +$350 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Anna Bay | Fishermans Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; 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 Fishermans Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Anna Bay and Fishermans Bay differ by $284 a year by car, but $350 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $66, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Anna Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,242 from Anna Bay versus $6,892 from Fishermans Bay.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Anna Bay by $66 a year, $6,709 against $6,775.
- Building insurance favours Fishermans Bay by $350 a year, $1,700 against $2,050.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Anna Bay against medium in Fishermans Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Anna Bay cumulative | Fishermans Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,551 | $11,267 | $284 |
| Year 3 | $35,703 | $34,825 | $878 |
| Year 5 | $61,326 | $59,818 | $1,508 |
| Year 10 | $132,419 | $129,164 | $3,255 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anna Bay or Fishermans Bay cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Anna Bay runs $11,551 a year by car and Fishermans Bay $11,267, but most of the $284 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $66. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Anna Bay and Fishermans Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Anna Bay (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Fishermans Bay (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Anna Bay and $1,377 in Fishermans Bay. 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 Fishermans Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,709 from Anna Bay and $6,775 from Fishermans Bay to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Anna Bay and $2,400 from Fishermans Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Anna Bay and Fishermans Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Anna Bay costs a cumulative $132,419 and Fishermans Bay costs $129,164 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,255 in favour of Fishermans Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Anna Bay and Fishermans Bay suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.