Anna Bay vs Taylors Beach: 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 Taylors Beach are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32 km and 33.7 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $106 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 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
Taylors Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Anna Bay | Taylors Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,709 | $6,815 | -$106 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,001 | $13,107 | -$106 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,692 | $8,692 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Anna Bay | Taylors Beach | 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 Taylors Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Anna Bay and Taylors Beach cost within $106 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,215, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $106 per year. Taylors Beach is 33.7 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,692 and $8,692 a year, so the $106 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $106 a year, $6,709 against $6,815.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,500 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Anna Bay cumulative | Taylors Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,001 | $13,107 | $106 |
| Year 3 | $40,185 | $40,512 | $327 |
| Year 5 | $69,024 | $69,587 | $563 |
| Year 10 | $149,042 | $150,257 | $1,215 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anna Bay or Taylors Beach cheaper to live in?
Anna Bay is cheaper to run by car at $13,001 per year versus $13,107 for Taylors Beach, a difference of $106 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Anna Bay and Taylors Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Anna Bay (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Taylors Beach (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Anna Bay and $1,377 in Taylors Beach. 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 Taylors Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,709 from Anna Bay and $6,815 from Taylors Beach to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Anna Bay and $2,400 from Taylors Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Anna Bay and Taylors Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Anna Bay costs a cumulative $149,042 and Taylors Beach costs $150,257 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,215 in favour of Anna Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Anna Bay and Taylors Beach 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.