Nelsons Plains vs Raymond Terrace: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Nelsons Plains and Raymond Terrace are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.1 km and 18.8 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Raymond Terrace runs $563 a year cheaper than Nelsons Plains, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,454.
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 →Nelsons Plains
Raymond Terrace
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Nelsons Plains | Raymond Terrace | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,589 | $5,026 | +$563 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,481 | $10,918 | +$563 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $8,292 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Nelsons Plains | Raymond Terrace | 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 — Nelsons Plains vs Raymond Terrace (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Raymond Terrace costs $563 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,454 in favour of Raymond Terrace.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $563 per year. Nelsons Plains is 22.1 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, $8,292 and $8,292 a year, so the $563 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Raymond Terrace by $563 a year, $5,026 against $5,589.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Nelsons Plains cumulative | Raymond Terrace cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,481 | $10,918 | $563 |
| Year 3 | $35,487 | $33,746 | $1,741 |
| Year 5 | $60,954 | $57,965 | $2,989 |
| Year 10 | $131,617 | $125,163 | $6,454 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nelsons Plains or Raymond Terrace cheaper to live in?
Raymond Terrace is cheaper to run by car at $10,918 per year versus $11,481 for Nelsons Plains, a difference of $563 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Nelsons Plains and Raymond Terrace?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Nelsons Plains (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Raymond Terrace (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Nelsons Plains and $1,377 in Raymond Terrace. 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 Nelsons Plains and Raymond Terrace?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,589 from Nelsons Plains and $5,026 from Raymond Terrace to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Nelsons Plains and $2,400 from Raymond Terrace.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Nelsons Plains and Raymond Terrace?
At 3% annual cost growth, Nelsons Plains costs a cumulative $131,617 and Raymond Terrace costs $125,163 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,454 in favour of Raymond Terrace. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Nelsons Plains and Raymond Terrace 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.