Bungwahl vs Tarbuck Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bungwahl and Tarbuck Bay are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 201.2 km and 203.8 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.
Bungwahl
Tarbuck Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bungwahl | Tarbuck Bay | 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 | $2,850 | $2,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,359 | $23,359 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,159 | $8,159 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bungwahl | Tarbuck Bay | 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 — Bungwahl vs Tarbuck Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bungwahl and Tarbuck Bay 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, $8,159 and $8,159 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bungwahl cumulative | Tarbuck Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,359 | $23,359 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,200 | $72,200 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,016 | $124,016 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $267,785 | $267,785 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bungwahl or Tarbuck Bay cheaper to live in?
Bungwahl is cheaper to run by car at $23,359 per year versus $23,359 for Tarbuck Bay, 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 Bungwahl and Tarbuck Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Bungwahl (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Tarbuck Bay (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bungwahl and $1,300 in Tarbuck Bay. 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 Bungwahl and Tarbuck Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bungwahl and $17,600 from Tarbuck Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bungwahl and $2,400 from Tarbuck Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bungwahl and Tarbuck Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bungwahl costs a cumulative $267,785 and Tarbuck Bay costs $267,785 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Bungwahl. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bungwahl and Tarbuck Bay 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.
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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.