Bobs Farm vs Mallabula: 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 Mallabula are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 28.7 km and 31.1 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $212 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 →Bobs Farm
Mallabula
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bobs Farm | Mallabula | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,431 | $6,643 | -$212 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,723 | $12,935 | -$212 |
| 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 | Bobs Farm | Mallabula | 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 Mallabula (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bobs Farm and Mallabula cost within $212 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,430, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $212 per year. Mallabula is 31.1 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 $212 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 Bobs Farm by $212 a year, $6,431 against $6,643.
- 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.5 in Bobs Farm against 3.5 in Mallabula, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bobs Farm cumulative | Mallabula cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,723 | $12,935 | $212 |
| Year 3 | $39,326 | $39,981 | $655 |
| Year 5 | $67,548 | $68,674 | $1,126 |
| Year 10 | $145,855 | $148,285 | $2,430 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bobs Farm or Mallabula cheaper to live in?
Bobs Farm is cheaper to run by car at $12,723 per year versus $12,935 for Mallabula, a difference of $212 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 Mallabula?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Bobs Farm (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Mallabula (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Bobs Farm and $1,377 in Mallabula. 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 Mallabula?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,431 from Bobs Farm and $6,643 from Mallabula to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bobs Farm and $2,400 from Mallabula.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bobs Farm and Mallabula?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bobs Farm costs a cumulative $145,855 and Mallabula costs $148,285 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,430 in favour of Bobs Farm. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bobs Farm and Mallabula 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.