Grants Beach vs Jolly Nose: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Grants Beach and Jolly Nose are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.4 km and 22.5 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $15 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. 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 →Grants Beach
Jolly Nose
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Grants Beach | Jolly Nose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,636 | $5,651 | -$15 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,806 | $11,821 | -$15 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,570 | $8,570 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Grants Beach | Jolly Nose | 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 — Grants Beach vs Jolly Nose (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Grants Beach and Jolly Nose cost within $15 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $172, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $15 per year. Jolly Nose is 22.5 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,570 and $8,570 a year, so the $15 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Grants Beach by $15 a year, $5,636 against $5,651.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,500 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. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Grants Beach cumulative | Jolly Nose cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,806 | $11,821 | $15 |
| Year 3 | $36,491 | $36,538 | $47 |
| Year 5 | $62,680 | $62,759 | $79 |
| Year 10 | $135,343 | $135,515 | $172 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grants Beach or Jolly Nose cheaper to live in?
Grants Beach is cheaper to run by car at $11,806 per year versus $11,821 for Jolly Nose, a difference of $15 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Grants Beach and Jolly Nose?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Grants Beach (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Jolly Nose (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Grants Beach and $1,300 in Jolly Nose. 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 Grants Beach and Jolly Nose?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,636 from Grants Beach and $5,651 from Jolly Nose to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Grants Beach and $2,400 from Jolly Nose.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Grants Beach and Jolly Nose?
At 3% annual cost growth, Grants Beach costs a cumulative $135,343 and Jolly Nose costs $135,515 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $172 in favour of Grants Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Grants Beach and Jolly Nose 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: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.