Cabarita Beach vs Hastings Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cabarita Beach and Hastings Point are both Tweed rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 655.1 km and 651.8 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.
Cabarita Beach
Hastings Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cabarita Beach | Hastings Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,799 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,799 | $23,799 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,599 | $8,599 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cabarita Beach | Hastings Point | 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 — Cabarita Beach vs Hastings Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabarita Beach and Hastings Point 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, $8,599 and $8,599 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cabarita Beach cumulative | Hastings Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,799 | $23,799 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,560 | $73,560 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $126,352 | $126,352 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $272,829 | $272,829 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabarita Beach or Hastings Point cheaper to live in?
Cabarita Beach is cheaper to run by car at $23,799 per year versus $23,799 for Hastings Point, 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 Cabarita Beach and Hastings Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in Cabarita Beach (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,799 in Hastings Point (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cabarita Beach and $1,300 in Hastings Point. 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 Cabarita Beach and Hastings Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Cabarita Beach and $17,600 from Hastings Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cabarita Beach and $2,400 from Hastings Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cabarita Beach and Hastings Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cabarita Beach costs a cumulative $272,829 and Hastings Point costs $272,829 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Cabarita Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cabarita Beach and Hastings Point 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: Tweed rates (OLG and Tweed 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.