Hillvue vs South Tamworth, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hillvue and South Tamworth are both Tamworth Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.1 km and 1.8 km from Tamworth CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Tamworth runs $744 a year cheaper than Hillvue, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,529.
Over 10 years, South Tamworth costs about $8,500 less to run than Hillvue. That's about $16 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Hillvue
South Tamworth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hillvue | South Tamworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,442 | $1,442 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $615 | +$744 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,359 | $615 | +$744 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,401 | $4,657 | +$744 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,401 | $4,657 | +$744 |
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 | Hillvue | South Tamworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Hillvue vs South Tamworth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
South Tamworth costs $744 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,529 in favour of South Tamworth.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $744 per year. Hillvue is 4.1 km from Tamworth CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $744 per year, $5,401 from Hillvue versus $4,657 from South Tamworth.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,442 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours South Tamworth by $744 a year, $615 against $1,359.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,300 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 | Hillvue cumulative | South Tamworth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,401 | $4,657 | $744 |
| Year 3 | $16,694 | $14,394 | $2,300 |
| Year 5 | $28,675 | $24,725 | $3,950 |
| Year 10 | $61,916 | $53,387 | $8,529 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillvue or South Tamworth cheaper to live in?
South Tamworth is cheaper to run by car at $4,657 per year versus $5,401 for Hillvue, a difference of $744 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hillvue and South Tamworth?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,442 in Hillvue (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG) and $1,442 in South Tamworth (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Hillvue and $1,300 in South Tamworth. 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 Hillvue and South Tamworth?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,359 from Hillvue and $615 from South Tamworth to Tamworth CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hillvue and South Tamworth?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hillvue costs a cumulative $61,916 and South Tamworth costs $53,387 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,529 in favour of South Tamworth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hillvue and South Tamworth suits you better?
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: Tamworth Regional rates (OLG and Tamworth Regional 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.