Fernleigh vs Tintenbar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fernleigh and Tintenbar are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 607 km and 605.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fernleigh runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Tintenbar, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Fernleigh costs about $12,600 less to run than Tintenbar — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Tintenbar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fernleigh | Tintenbar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $3,100 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,284 | $23,384 | -$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,084 | $8,184 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fernleigh | Tintenbar | 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 — Fernleigh vs Tintenbar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fernleigh costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,610 in favour of Fernleigh.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Tintenbar carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $7,084 from Fernleigh versus $8,184 from Tintenbar.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fernleigh cumulative | Tintenbar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,284 | $23,384 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $68,878 | $72,278 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $118,309 | $124,149 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $255,461 | $268,071 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fernleigh or Tintenbar cheaper to live in?
Fernleigh is cheaper to run by car at $22,284 per year versus $23,384 for Tintenbar, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fernleigh and Tintenbar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Fernleigh (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Tintenbar (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fernleigh and $1,300 in Tintenbar. 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 Fernleigh and Tintenbar?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Fernleigh and $17,600 from Tintenbar to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fernleigh and $2,400 from Tintenbar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fernleigh and Tintenbar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fernleigh costs a cumulative $255,461 and Tintenbar costs $268,071 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Fernleigh. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fernleigh and Tintenbar 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: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.