Corlette vs Soldiers 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
Corlette and Soldiers Point are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 152.6 km and 151.7 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.
Corlette
Soldiers Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Corlette | Soldiers Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,542 | $22,542 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,342 | $7,342 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Corlette | Soldiers Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Corlette vs Soldiers Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Corlette and Soldiers 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, $7,342 and $7,342 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Corlette cumulative | Soldiers Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,542 | $22,542 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $69,675 | $69,675 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $119,679 | $119,679 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $258,419 | $258,419 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Corlette or Soldiers Point cheaper to live in?
Corlette is cheaper to run by car at $22,542 per year versus $22,542 for Soldiers 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 Corlette and Soldiers Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Corlette (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Soldiers Point (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Corlette and $1,377 in Soldiers 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 Corlette and Soldiers Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Corlette and $17,600 from Soldiers Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Corlette and $2,400 from Soldiers Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Corlette and Soldiers Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Corlette costs a cumulative $258,419 and Soldiers Point costs $258,419 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Corlette. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Corlette and Soldiers 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: Port Stephens rates (OLG and Port Stephens 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.