Mount Hutton vs Tingira Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Hutton and Tingira Heights are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 11.9 km and 13 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $265 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. 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 →Mount Hutton
Tingira Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Hutton | Tingira Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,540 | $3,805 | -$265 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,680 | $8,945 | -$265 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,540 | $7,540 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Hutton | Tingira Heights | 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 — Mount Hutton vs Tingira Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Hutton and Tingira Heights cost within $265 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,038, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $265 per year. Tingira Heights is 13 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,540 and $7,540 a year, so the $265 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Hutton by $265 a year, $3,540 against $3,805.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4.5 in Mount Hutton against 1 in Tingira Heights, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Hutton cumulative | Tingira Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,680 | $8,945 | $265 |
| Year 3 | $26,829 | $27,648 | $819 |
| Year 5 | $46,083 | $47,490 | $1,407 |
| Year 10 | $99,506 | $102,544 | $3,038 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Hutton or Tingira Heights cheaper to live in?
Mount Hutton is cheaper to run by car at $8,680 per year versus $8,945 for Tingira Heights, a difference of $265 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Hutton and Tingira Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Mount Hutton (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Tingira Heights (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Mount Hutton and $1,377 in Tingira Heights. 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 Mount Hutton and Tingira Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,540 from Mount Hutton and $3,805 from Tingira Heights to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Hutton and $2,400 from Tingira Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Hutton and Tingira Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Hutton costs a cumulative $99,506 and Tingira Heights costs $102,544 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,038 in favour of Mount Hutton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Hutton and Tingira Heights 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.