Coffee Camp vs Tuntable Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coffee Camp and Tuntable Creek are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 611.7 km and 613.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tuntable Creek runs $450 a year cheaper than Coffee Camp, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,158.
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 →Coffee Camp
Tuntable Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coffee Camp | Tuntable Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,534 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,000 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,884 | $22,434 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,684 | $7,234 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Coffee Camp | Tuntable Creek | 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 — Coffee Camp vs Tuntable Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tuntable Creek costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,158 in favour of Tuntable Creek.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Coffee Camp carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,684 from Coffee Camp versus $7,234 from Tuntable Creek.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coffee Camp cumulative | Tuntable Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,884 | $22,434 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $70,732 | $69,341 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $121,494 | $119,105 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $262,339 | $257,181 | $5,158 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coffee Camp or Tuntable Creek cheaper to live in?
Tuntable Creek is cheaper to run by car at $22,434 per year versus $22,884 for Coffee Camp, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coffee Camp and Tuntable Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Coffee Camp (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Tuntable Creek (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Coffee Camp and $1,300 in Tuntable Creek. 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 Coffee Camp and Tuntable Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Coffee Camp and $17,600 from Tuntable Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Coffee Camp and $2,400 from Tuntable Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coffee Camp and Tuntable Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coffee Camp costs a cumulative $262,339 and Tuntable Creek costs $257,181 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,158 in favour of Tuntable Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coffee Camp and Tuntable Creek 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Lismore 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.