Horsfield Bay vs Phegans Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Horsfield Bay and Phegans Bay are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42.5 km and 43.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Horsfield Bay runs $385 a year cheaper than Phegans Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,413.
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 →Horsfield Bay
Phegans Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Horsfield Bay | Phegans Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,962 | $6,947 | +$15 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,650 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,966 | $13,351 | -$385 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,404 | $8,804 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Horsfield Bay | Phegans Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Horsfield Bay vs Phegans Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Horsfield Bay costs $385 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,413 in favour of Horsfield Bay.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Phegans Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,404 from Horsfield Bay versus $8,804 from Phegans Bay.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Phegans Bay by $15 a year, $6,947 against $6,962.
- Building insurance favours Horsfield Bay by $400 a year, $3,250 against $3,650.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Phegans Bay against medium in Horsfield Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Horsfield Bay cumulative | Phegans Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,966 | $13,351 | $385 |
| Year 3 | $40,077 | $41,267 | $1,190 |
| Year 5 | $68,838 | $70,882 | $2,044 |
| Year 10 | $148,641 | $153,054 | $4,413 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Horsfield Bay or Phegans Bay cheaper to live in?
Horsfield Bay is cheaper to run by car at $12,966 per year versus $13,351 for Phegans Bay, a difference of $385 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Horsfield Bay and Phegans Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Horsfield Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Phegans Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Horsfield Bay and $1,300 in Phegans Bay. 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 Horsfield Bay and Phegans Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,962 from Horsfield Bay and $6,947 from Phegans Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Horsfield Bay and $2,400 from Phegans Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Horsfield Bay and Phegans Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Horsfield Bay costs a cumulative $148,641 and Phegans Bay costs $153,054 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,413 in favour of Horsfield Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Horsfield Bay and Phegans Bay 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.