Eleebana vs Valentine: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eleebana and Valentine are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 105.6 km and 103.2 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.
Eleebana
Valentine
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eleebana | Valentine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,190 | $23,190 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,990 | $7,990 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Eleebana | Valentine | 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 — Eleebana vs Valentine (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eleebana and Valentine 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, $7,990 and $7,990 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eleebana cumulative | Valentine cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,190 | $23,190 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $71,678 | $71,678 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $123,119 | $123,119 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $265,847 | $265,847 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eleebana or Valentine cheaper to live in?
Eleebana is cheaper to run by car at $23,190 per year versus $23,190 for Valentine, 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 Eleebana and Valentine?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Eleebana (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Valentine (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Eleebana and $1,377 in Valentine. 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 Eleebana and Valentine?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Eleebana and $17,600 from Valentine to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Eleebana and $2,400 from Valentine.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eleebana and Valentine?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eleebana costs a cumulative $265,847 and Valentine costs $265,847 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Eleebana. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eleebana and Valentine 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.