Dignams Creek vs Tilba Tilba, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dignams Creek and Tilba Tilba are both Eurobodalla rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $50 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.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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 →Dignams Creek
Tilba Tilba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dignams Creek | Tilba Tilba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,285 | $1,285 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $1,850 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,585 | $22,635 | -$50 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,585 | $22,635 | -$50 |
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 | Dignams Creek | Tilba Tilba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,115 | $3,115 | - |
| Unit | $2,585 | $2,585 | - |
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, Dignams Creek vs Tilba Tilba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dignams Creek and Tilba Tilba cost within $50 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $573, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Tilba Tilba carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $22,585 and $22,635 a year, so the $50 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,285 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Dignams Creek by $50 a year, $1,800 against $1,850.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Tilba Tilba against low in Dignams Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Dignams Creek against medium in Tilba Tilba, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dignams Creek cumulative | Tilba Tilba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,585 | $22,635 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $69,808 | $69,963 | $155 |
| Year 5 | $119,907 | $120,172 | $265 |
| Year 10 | $258,912 | $259,485 | $573 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dignams Creek or Tilba Tilba cheaper to live in?
Dignams Creek is cheaper to run by car at $22,585 per year versus $22,635 for Tilba Tilba, a difference of $50 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dignams Creek and Tilba Tilba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,285 in Dignams Creek (Eurobodalla rates (OLG) and $1,285 in Tilba Tilba (Eurobodalla rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Dignams Creek and $1,300 in Tilba Tilba. 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 Dignams Creek and Tilba Tilba?
Dignams Creek carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Tilba Tilba carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dignams Creek and Tilba Tilba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dignams Creek costs a cumulative $258,912 and Tilba Tilba costs $259,485 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $573 in favour of Dignams Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dignams Creek and Tilba Tilba 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.
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Sources: Eurobodalla rates (OLG and Eurobodalla 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.