Appleby vs Attunga: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Appleby and Attunga are both Tamworth Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.1 km and 22.4 km from Tamworth CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $292 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 →Appleby
Attunga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Appleby | Attunga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,442 | $1,442 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,894 | $5,636 | -$742 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,000 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,086 | $10,378 | -$292 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,592 | $7,142 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Appleby | Attunga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Appleby vs Attunga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Appleby and Attunga cost within $292 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,347, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $742 per year. Attunga is 22.4 km from Tamworth CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,592 from Appleby versus $7,142 from Attunga.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,442 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Appleby by $742 a year, $4,894 against $5,636.
- Building insurance favours Attunga by $450 a year, $2,000 against $2,450.
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 medium in Appleby against low in Attunga, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Appleby cumulative | Attunga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,086 | $10,378 | $292 |
| Year 3 | $31,175 | $32,077 | $902 |
| Year 5 | $53,548 | $55,098 | $1,550 |
| Year 10 | $115,625 | $118,972 | $3,347 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Appleby or Attunga cheaper to live in?
Appleby is cheaper to run by car at $10,086 per year versus $10,378 for Attunga, a difference of $292 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Appleby and Attunga?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,442 in Appleby (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG) and $1,442 in Attunga (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Appleby and $1,300 in Attunga. 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 Appleby and Attunga?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,894 from Appleby and $5,636 from Attunga to Tamworth CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Appleby and $2,400 from Attunga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Appleby and Attunga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Appleby costs a cumulative $115,625 and Attunga costs $118,972 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,347 in favour of Appleby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Appleby and Attunga 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.
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Sources: Tamworth Regional rates (OLG and Tamworth Regional 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.