Lemon Tree Passage vs Tanilba 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
Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 31.9 km and 29.6 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $14 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
Tanilba Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lemon Tree Passage | Tanilba Bay | 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 | $6,516 | +$186 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,050 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,344 | $11,358 | -$14 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,042 | $7,242 | -$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 | Tanilba 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, Lemon Tree Passage vs Tanilba Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay cost within $14 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $161, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Tanilba Bay 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 $7,242 from Tanilba Bay.
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 Tanilba Bay by $186 a year, $6,516 against $6,702.
- Building insurance favours Lemon Tree Passage by $200 a year, $1,850 against $2,050.
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 Tanilba Bay against medium in Lemon Tree Passage, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lemon Tree Passage cumulative | Tanilba Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,344 | $11,358 | $14 |
| Year 3 | $35,063 | $35,106 | $43 |
| Year 5 | $60,227 | $60,301 | $74 |
| Year 10 | $130,046 | $130,207 | $161 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lemon Tree Passage or Tanilba Bay cheaper to live in?
Lemon Tree Passage is cheaper to run by car at $11,344 per year versus $11,358 for Tanilba Bay, a difference of $14 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 Tanilba Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Lemon Tree Passage (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Tanilba Bay (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Lemon Tree Passage and $1,377 in Tanilba 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 Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,702 from Lemon Tree Passage and $6,516 from Tanilba Bay to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lemon Tree Passage and $2,400 from Tanilba Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lemon Tree Passage costs a cumulative $130,046 and Tanilba Bay costs $130,207 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $161 in favour of Lemon Tree Passage. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay 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: 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.