Lemon Tree Passage vs Port Stephens, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lemon Tree Passage and Port Stephens are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 31.9 km and 34.7 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $36 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.
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 →Lemon Tree Passage
Port Stephens
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lemon Tree Passage | Port Stephens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,702 | $6,866 | -$164 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,650 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,344 | $11,308 | +$36 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,042 | $6,842 | +$200 |
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 | Lemon Tree Passage | Port Stephens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,292 | +$50 |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,871 | +$38 |
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, Lemon Tree Passage vs Port Stephens (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lemon Tree Passage and Port Stephens cost within $36 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $412, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Lemon Tree Passage carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,042 from Lemon Tree Passage versus $6,842 from Port Stephens.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lemon Tree Passage by $164 a year, $6,702 against $6,866.
- Building insurance favours Port Stephens by $200 a year, $1,650 against $1,850.
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 medium in Lemon Tree Passage against low in Port Stephens, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.8 in Port Stephens against 3.5 in Lemon Tree Passage, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lemon Tree Passage cumulative | Port Stephens cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,344 | $11,308 | $36 |
| Year 3 | $35,063 | $34,952 | $111 |
| Year 5 | $60,227 | $60,036 | $191 |
| Year 10 | $130,046 | $129,634 | $412 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lemon Tree Passage or Port Stephens cheaper to live in?
Port Stephens is cheaper to run by car at $11,308 per year versus $11,344 for Lemon Tree Passage, a difference of $36 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lemon Tree Passage and Port Stephens?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Lemon Tree Passage (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Port Stephens (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Lemon Tree Passage and $1,377 in Port Stephens. 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 Lemon Tree Passage and Port Stephens?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,702 from Lemon Tree Passage and $6,866 from Port Stephens to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lemon Tree Passage and $2,400 from Port Stephens.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lemon Tree Passage and Port Stephens?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lemon Tree Passage costs a cumulative $130,046 and Port Stephens costs $129,634 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $412 in favour of Port Stephens. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lemon Tree Passage and Port Stephens suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.