Chisholm vs Tenambit: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chisholm and Tenambit are both Maitland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23.6 km and 26.3 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Chisholm runs $355 a year cheaper than Tenambit, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,070.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Chisholm
Tenambit
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chisholm | Tenambit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,970 | $1,970 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,814 | $6,169 | -$355 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,961 | $12,316 | -$355 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,547 | $8,547 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chisholm | Tenambit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Chisholm vs Tenambit (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chisholm costs $355 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,070 in favour of Chisholm.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $355 per year. Tenambit is 26.3 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,547 and $8,547 a year, so the $355 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,970 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Chisholm by $355 a year, $5,814 against $6,169.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 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 | Chisholm cumulative | Tenambit cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,961 | $12,316 | $355 |
| Year 3 | $36,970 | $38,068 | $1,098 |
| Year 5 | $63,503 | $65,387 | $1,884 |
| Year 10 | $137,119 | $141,189 | $4,070 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chisholm or Tenambit cheaper to live in?
Chisholm is cheaper to run by car at $11,961 per year versus $12,316 for Tenambit, a difference of $355 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chisholm and Tenambit?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Chisholm (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Tenambit (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Chisholm and $1,377 in Tenambit. 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 Chisholm and Tenambit?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,814 from Chisholm and $6,169 from Tenambit to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Chisholm and $2,400 from Tenambit.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chisholm and Tenambit?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chisholm costs a cumulative $137,119 and Tenambit costs $141,189 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,070 in favour of Chisholm. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chisholm and Tenambit 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: Maitland rates (OLG and Maitland rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.