Booti Booti vs Tiona: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Booti Booti and Tiona are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 211.5 km and 213 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tiona runs $400 a year cheaper than Booti Booti, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Booti Booti
Tiona
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Booti Booti | Tiona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,009 | $23,609 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,809 | $8,409 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Booti Booti | Tiona | 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 — Booti Booti vs Tiona (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tiona costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Tiona.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Booti Booti carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,809 from Booti Booti versus $8,409 from Tiona.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Booti Booti cumulative | Tiona cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,009 | $23,609 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $74,209 | $72,973 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $127,467 | $125,343 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $275,236 | $270,651 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Booti Booti or Tiona cheaper to live in?
Tiona is cheaper to run by car at $23,609 per year versus $24,009 for Booti Booti, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Booti Booti and Tiona?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Booti Booti (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Tiona (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Booti Booti and $1,300 in Tiona. 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 Booti Booti and Tiona?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Booti Booti and $17,600 from Tiona to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Booti Booti and $2,400 from Tiona.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Booti Booti and Tiona?
At 3% annual cost growth, Booti Booti costs a cumulative $275,236 and Tiona costs $270,651 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Tiona. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Booti Booti and Tiona 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-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.