Bobs Farm vs Lemon Tree Passage, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bobs Farm and Lemon Tree Passage are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 28.7 km and 31.9 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $71 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Bobs Farm
Lemon Tree Passage
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bobs Farm | Lemon Tree Passage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,431 | $6,702 | -$271 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $1,850 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,273 | $11,344 | -$71 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,242 | $7,042 | +$200 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bobs Farm | Lemon Tree Passage | 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, Bobs Farm vs Lemon Tree Passage (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bobs Farm and Lemon Tree Passage cost within $71 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $814, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $271 per year. Lemon Tree Passage is 31.9 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,242 from Bobs Farm versus $7,042 from Lemon Tree Passage.
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 Bobs Farm by $271 a year, $6,431 against $6,702.
- Building insurance favours Lemon Tree Passage by $200 a year, $1,850 against $2,050.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Bobs Farm against medium in Lemon Tree Passage, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.5 in Bobs Farm against 3.5 in Lemon Tree Passage, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bobs Farm cumulative | Lemon Tree Passage cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,273 | $11,344 | $71 |
| Year 3 | $34,844 | $35,063 | $219 |
| Year 5 | $59,850 | $60,227 | $377 |
| Year 10 | $129,232 | $130,046 | $814 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bobs Farm or Lemon Tree Passage cheaper to live in?
Bobs Farm is cheaper to run by car at $11,273 per year versus $11,344 for Lemon Tree Passage, a difference of $71 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bobs Farm and Lemon Tree Passage?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Bobs Farm (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Lemon Tree Passage (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Bobs Farm and $1,377 in Lemon Tree Passage. 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 Bobs Farm and Lemon Tree Passage?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,431 from Bobs Farm and $6,702 from Lemon Tree Passage to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bobs Farm and $2,400 from Lemon Tree Passage.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bobs Farm and Lemon Tree Passage?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bobs Farm costs a cumulative $129,232 and Lemon Tree Passage costs $130,046 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $814 in favour of Bobs Farm. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bobs Farm and Lemon Tree Passage suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.