Lemon Tree Passage vs Tanilba Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 147.6 km and 146.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lemon Tree Passage runs $400 a year cheaper than Tanilba Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Lemon Tree Passage
Tanilba Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lemon Tree Passage | Tanilba Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,492 | $23,892 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $8,692 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lemon Tree Passage | Tanilba Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Lemon Tree Passage.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Tanilba Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,292 from Lemon Tree Passage versus $8,692 from Tanilba Bay.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lemon Tree Passage cumulative | Tanilba Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,492 | $23,892 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,611 | $73,848 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $124,722 | $126,846 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $269,309 | $273,895 | $4,586 |
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 $23,492 per year versus $23,892 for Tanilba Bay, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Lemon Tree Passage and $17,600 from Tanilba Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $269,309 and Tanilba Bay costs $273,895 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Lemon Tree Passage. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.