Heatherbrae vs Raymond Terrace: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 129.8 km and 132.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Raymond Terrace runs $400 a year cheaper than Heatherbrae, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Heatherbrae
Raymond Terrace
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Heatherbrae | Raymond Terrace | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,892 | $23,492 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,692 | $8,292 | +$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 | Heatherbrae | Raymond Terrace | 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 — Heatherbrae vs Raymond Terrace (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Raymond Terrace costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Raymond Terrace.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Heatherbrae carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,692 from Heatherbrae versus $8,292 from Raymond Terrace.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Heatherbrae cumulative | Raymond Terrace cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,892 | $23,492 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $73,848 | $72,611 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $126,846 | $124,722 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $273,895 | $269,309 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heatherbrae or Raymond Terrace cheaper to live in?
Raymond Terrace is cheaper to run by car at $23,492 per year versus $23,892 for Heatherbrae, 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 Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Heatherbrae (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Raymond Terrace (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Heatherbrae and $1,377 in Raymond Terrace. 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 Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Heatherbrae and $17,600 from Raymond Terrace to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Heatherbrae and $2,400 from Raymond Terrace.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace?
At 3% annual cost growth, Heatherbrae costs a cumulative $273,895 and Raymond Terrace costs $269,309 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Raymond Terrace. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace 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 Stephens rates (OLG and Port Stephens 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.