Ballengarra vs Telegraph Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ballengarra and Telegraph Point are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.6 km and 17.7 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $43 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 →Ballengarra
Telegraph Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ballengarra | Telegraph Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,510 | $4,817 | +$693 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,500 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,030 | $10,987 | +$43 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,920 | $8,570 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ballengarra | Telegraph Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Ballengarra vs Telegraph Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ballengarra and Telegraph Point cost within $43 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $493, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $693 per year. Ballengarra is 21.6 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,920 from Ballengarra versus $8,570 from Telegraph Point.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Telegraph Point by $693 a year, $4,817 against $5,510.
- Building insurance favours Ballengarra by $650 a year, $2,850 against $3,500.
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 Telegraph Point against medium in Ballengarra, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ballengarra cumulative | Telegraph Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,030 | $10,987 | $43 |
| Year 3 | $34,093 | $33,960 | $133 |
| Year 5 | $58,560 | $58,331 | $229 |
| Year 10 | $126,447 | $125,954 | $493 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ballengarra or Telegraph Point cheaper to live in?
Telegraph Point is cheaper to run by car at $10,987 per year versus $11,030 for Ballengarra, a difference of $43 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ballengarra and Telegraph Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Ballengarra (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Telegraph Point (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Ballengarra and $1,300 in Telegraph Point. 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 Ballengarra and Telegraph Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,510 from Ballengarra and $4,817 from Telegraph Point to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ballengarra and $2,400 from Telegraph Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ballengarra and Telegraph Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ballengarra costs a cumulative $126,447 and Telegraph Point costs $125,954 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $493 in favour of Telegraph Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ballengarra and Telegraph Point 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 Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.