Blue Bay vs Long Jetty: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blue Bay and Long Jetty are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 63.1 km and 62.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $135 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 →Blue Bay
Long Jetty
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blue Bay | Long Jetty | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,504 | $4,639 | -$135 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,058 | $10,193 | -$135 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,954 | $7,954 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blue Bay | Long Jetty | 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 — Blue Bay vs Long Jetty (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blue Bay and Long Jetty cost within $135 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,547, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $135 per year. Blue Bay is 63.1 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,954 and $7,954 a year, so the $135 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blue Bay cumulative | Long Jetty cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,058 | $10,193 | $135 |
| Year 3 | $31,088 | $31,506 | $418 |
| Year 5 | $53,399 | $54,116 | $717 |
| Year 10 | $115,304 | $116,851 | $1,547 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blue Bay or Long Jetty cheaper to live in?
Blue Bay is cheaper to run by car at $10,058 per year versus $10,193 for Long Jetty, a difference of $135 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blue Bay and Long Jetty?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Blue Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Long Jetty (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Blue Bay and $1,300 in Long Jetty. 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 Blue Bay and Long Jetty?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,504 from Blue Bay and $4,639 from Long Jetty to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blue Bay and $2,400 from Long Jetty.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blue Bay and Long Jetty?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blue Bay costs a cumulative $115,304 and Long Jetty costs $116,851 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,547 in favour of Blue Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blue Bay and Long Jetty 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.