Bundabah vs North Arm Cove, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bundabah (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and North Arm Cove (Port Stephens rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Newcastle CBD (38.8 km and 39.2 km).
The two sit within $114 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, North Arm Cove costs about $1,300 less to run than Bundabah. That's about $3 a week.
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North Arm Cove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bundabah | North Arm Cove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,609 | $1,415 | +$194 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,377 | -$77 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,983 | $6,986 | -$3 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,983 | $2,400 | +$4,583 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,592 | $11,478 | +$114 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,592 | $6,892 | +$4,700 |
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 | Bundabah | North Arm Cove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,342 | +$485 |
| Unit | $2,369 | $1,909 | +$460 |
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, Bundabah vs North Arm Cove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bundabah and North Arm Cove cost within $114 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,307, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $194 per year.
On public transport the gap is $4,700 per year, $11,592 from Bundabah versus $6,892 from North Arm Cove.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours North Arm Cove by $194 a year, $1,415 against $1,609.
- Water and sewerage favours Bundabah by $77 a year, $1,300 against $1,377.
- Driving commute favours Bundabah by $3 a year, $6,983 against $6,986.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,700 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bundabah cumulative | North Arm Cove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,592 | $11,478 | $114 |
| Year 3 | $35,830 | $35,477 | $353 |
| Year 5 | $61,544 | $60,938 | $606 |
| Year 10 | $132,889 | $131,582 | $1,307 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bundabah or North Arm Cove cheaper to live in?
North Arm Cove is cheaper to run by car at $11,478 per year versus $11,592 for Bundabah, a difference of $114 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bundabah and North Arm Cove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Bundabah (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,415 in North Arm Cove (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bundabah and $1,377 in North Arm Cove. 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 Bundabah and North Arm Cove?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,983 from Bundabah and $6,986 from North Arm Cove to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Arm Cove. No daily public transport commute is assumed from Bundabah, so it is costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bundabah and North Arm Cove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bundabah costs a cumulative $132,889 and North Arm Cove costs $131,582 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,307 in favour of North Arm Cove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bundabah and North Arm Cove suits you better?
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Sources: Mid-Coast 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.