Lake Albert vs Tatton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lake Albert and Tatton are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.5 km and 5.6 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tatton runs $717 a year cheaper than Lake Albert, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,220.
Over 10 years, Tatton costs about $8,200 less to run than Lake Albert — the same as paying $8,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Lake Albert
Tatton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Albert | Tatton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,087 | $1,820 | +$267 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,700 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,831 | $6,114 | +$717 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,144 | $6,694 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lake Albert | Tatton | 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 — Lake Albert vs Tatton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tatton costs $717 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,220 in favour of Tatton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Lake Albert carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,144 from Lake Albert versus $6,694 from Tatton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tatton by $267 a year, $1,820 against $2,087.
- Building insurance favours Tatton by $450 a year, $1,700 against $2,150.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Lake Albert against low in Tatton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Albert cumulative | Tatton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,831 | $6,114 | $717 |
| Year 3 | $21,114 | $18,898 | $2,216 |
| Year 5 | $36,267 | $32,460 | $3,807 |
| Year 10 | $78,310 | $70,090 | $8,220 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Albert or Tatton cheaper to live in?
Tatton is cheaper to run by car at $6,114 per year versus $6,831 for Lake Albert, a difference of $717 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Albert and Tatton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Lake Albert (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Tatton (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lake Albert and $1,300 in Tatton. 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 Lake Albert and Tatton?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,087 from Lake Albert and $1,820 from Tatton to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lake Albert and $2,400 from Tatton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Albert and Tatton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Albert costs a cumulative $78,310 and Tatton costs $70,090 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,220 in favour of Tatton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Albert and Tatton 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.
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Sources: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.