Calala vs Kingswood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Calala and Kingswood are both Tamworth Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.5 km and 7.6 km from Tamworth CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Calala runs $316 a year cheaper than Kingswood, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,623.
Over 10 years, Calala costs about $3,600 less to run than Kingswood. That's about $7 a week.
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Kingswood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Calala | Kingswood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,442 | $1,442 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,087 | $2,403 | -$316 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,087 | $2,403 | -$316 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,379 | $6,695 | -$316 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,379 | $6,695 | -$316 |
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 | Calala | Kingswood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Calala vs Kingswood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Calala costs $316 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,623 in favour of Calala.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $316 per year. Kingswood is 7.6 km from Tamworth CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $316 per year, $6,379 from Calala versus $6,695 from Kingswood.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,442 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Calala by $316 a year, $2,087 against $2,403.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,550 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Calala cumulative | Kingswood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,379 | $6,695 | $316 |
| Year 3 | $19,717 | $20,694 | $977 |
| Year 5 | $33,867 | $35,545 | $1,678 |
| Year 10 | $73,128 | $76,751 | $3,623 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calala or Kingswood cheaper to live in?
Calala is cheaper to run by car at $6,379 per year versus $6,695 for Kingswood, a difference of $316 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Calala and Kingswood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,442 in Calala (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG) and $1,442 in Kingswood (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Calala and $1,300 in Kingswood. 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 Calala and Kingswood?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,087 from Calala and $2,403 from Kingswood to Tamworth CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Calala and Kingswood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Calala costs a cumulative $73,128 and Kingswood costs $76,751 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,623 in favour of Calala. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Calala and Kingswood suits you better?
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Sources: Tamworth Regional rates (OLG and Tamworth Regional 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.