Bottle Creek vs Tunglebung: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bottle Creek and Tunglebung are both Kyogle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 581 km and 578.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Bottle Creek
Tunglebung
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bottle Creek | Tunglebung | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,320 | $1,320 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,220 | $22,220 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,020 | $7,020 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bottle Creek | Tunglebung | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Bottle Creek vs Tunglebung (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bottle Creek and Tunglebung cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,020 and $7,020 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bottle Creek cumulative | Tunglebung cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,220 | $22,220 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,680 | $68,680 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $117,969 | $117,969 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $254,727 | $254,727 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bottle Creek or Tunglebung cheaper to live in?
Bottle Creek is cheaper to run by car at $22,220 per year versus $22,220 for Tunglebung, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bottle Creek and Tunglebung?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,320 in Bottle Creek (Kyogle rates (OLG) and $1,320 in Tunglebung (Kyogle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bottle Creek and $1,300 in Tunglebung. 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 Bottle Creek and Tunglebung?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bottle Creek and $17,600 from Tunglebung to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bottle Creek and $2,400 from Tunglebung.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bottle Creek and Tunglebung?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bottle Creek costs a cumulative $254,727 and Tunglebung costs $254,727 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Bottle Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bottle Creek and Tunglebung 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: Kyogle rates (OLG and Kyogle 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.