Elizabeth Beach vs Tiona: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Elizabeth Beach and Tiona are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 211.1 km and 213 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tiona runs $400 a year cheaper than Elizabeth Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Elizabeth Beach
Tiona
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Elizabeth Beach | Tiona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,009 | $23,609 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,809 | $8,409 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Elizabeth Beach | Tiona | 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 — Elizabeth Beach vs Tiona (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tiona costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Tiona.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Elizabeth Beach carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,809 from Elizabeth Beach versus $8,409 from Tiona.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Elizabeth Beach cumulative | Tiona cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,009 | $23,609 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $74,209 | $72,973 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $127,467 | $125,343 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $275,236 | $270,651 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Elizabeth Beach or Tiona cheaper to live in?
Tiona is cheaper to run by car at $23,609 per year versus $24,009 for Elizabeth Beach, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Elizabeth Beach and Tiona?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Elizabeth Beach (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Tiona (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Elizabeth Beach and $1,300 in Tiona. 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 Elizabeth Beach and Tiona?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Elizabeth Beach and $17,600 from Tiona to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Elizabeth Beach and $2,400 from Tiona.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Elizabeth Beach and Tiona?
At 3% annual cost growth, Elizabeth Beach costs a cumulative $275,236 and Tiona costs $270,651 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Tiona. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Elizabeth Beach and Tiona 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.