Chittaway Point vs Tuggerah, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chittaway Point and Tuggerah are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 64.5 km and 65.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tuggerah runs $535 a year cheaper than Chittaway Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,133.
Over 10 years, Tuggerah costs about $6,100 less to run than Chittaway Point. That's about $12 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Chittaway Point
Tuggerah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chittaway Point | Tuggerah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,367 | $4,082 | +$285 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,250 | $2,000 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,371 | $8,836 | +$535 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,404 | $7,154 | +$250 |
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 | Chittaway Point | Tuggerah | 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, Chittaway Point vs Tuggerah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tuggerah costs $535 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,133 in favour of Tuggerah.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $285 per year. Tuggerah is 65.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,404 from Chittaway Point versus $7,154 from Tuggerah.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tuggerah by $285 a year, $4,082 against $4,367.
- Building insurance favours Tuggerah by $250 a year, $2,000 against $2,250.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Chittaway Point against medium in Tuggerah, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chittaway Point cumulative | Tuggerah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,371 | $8,836 | $535 |
| Year 3 | $28,965 | $27,311 | $1,654 |
| Year 5 | $49,752 | $46,912 | $2,840 |
| Year 10 | $107,428 | $101,295 | $6,133 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chittaway Point or Tuggerah cheaper to live in?
Tuggerah is cheaper to run by car at $8,836 per year versus $9,371 for Chittaway Point, a difference of $535 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chittaway Point and Tuggerah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Chittaway Point (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Tuggerah (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Chittaway Point and $1,300 in Tuggerah. 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 Chittaway Point and Tuggerah?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,367 from Chittaway Point and $4,082 from Tuggerah to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Chittaway Point and $2,400 from Tuggerah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chittaway Point and Tuggerah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chittaway Point costs a cumulative $107,428 and Tuggerah costs $101,295 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,133 in favour of Tuggerah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chittaway Point and Tuggerah suits you better?
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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.