Forbesdale vs Stratford, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Forbesdale and Stratford are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, 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.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Stratford
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forbesdale | Stratford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| 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 | $1,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,909 | $22,909 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $22,909 | $22,909 | - |
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 | Forbesdale | Stratford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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, Forbesdale vs Stratford (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forbesdale and Stratford 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, $22,909 and $22,909 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,609 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,800 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Forbesdale cumulative | Stratford cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,909 | $22,909 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $70,809 | $70,809 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $121,627 | $121,627 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $262,626 | $262,626 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forbesdale or Stratford cheaper to live in?
Forbesdale is cheaper to run by car at $22,909 per year versus $22,909 for Stratford, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Forbesdale and Stratford?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Forbesdale (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Stratford (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Forbesdale and $1,300 in Stratford. 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 Forbesdale and Stratford?
Forbesdale 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. Stratford 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 Forbesdale and Stratford?
At 3% annual cost growth, Forbesdale costs a cumulative $262,626 and Stratford costs $262,626 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Forbesdale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forbesdale and Stratford suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.