Anna Bay vs Fishermans Bay: 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 Fishermans Bay are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 146.2 km and 145.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fishermans Bay runs $650 a year cheaper than Anna Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Anna Bay
Fishermans Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Anna Bay | Fishermans Bay | 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 | $2,850 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,892 | $23,242 | +$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,692 | $8,042 | +$650 |
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 | Fishermans Bay | 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 Fishermans Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fishermans Bay costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Fishermans Bay.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Anna Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,692 from Anna Bay versus $8,042 from Fishermans Bay.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Anna Bay cumulative | Fishermans Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,892 | $23,242 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $73,848 | $71,839 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $126,846 | $123,395 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $273,895 | $266,443 | $7,452 |
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?
Fishermans Bay is cheaper to run by car at $23,242 per year versus $23,892 for Anna Bay, a difference of $650 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 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 $17,600 from Anna Bay and $17,600 from Fishermans Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $273,895 and Fishermans Bay costs $266,443 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 in favour of Fishermans Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Anna Bay and Fishermans Bay 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.