North Batemans Bay vs Surfside: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North Batemans Bay and Surfside are both Eurobodalla rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 222.8 km and 223.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Batemans Bay runs $650 a year cheaper than Surfside, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,451.
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 →North Batemans Bay
Surfside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Batemans Bay | Surfside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,285 | $1,285 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $3,100 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,635 | $23,285 | -$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,435 | $8,085 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | North Batemans Bay | Surfside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — North Batemans Bay vs Surfside (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Batemans Bay costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,451 in favour of North Batemans Bay.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Surfside carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,435 from North Batemans Bay versus $8,085 from Surfside.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Batemans Bay cumulative | Surfside cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,635 | $23,285 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $69,963 | $71,972 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $120,172 | $123,623 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $259,485 | $266,936 | $7,451 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Batemans Bay or Surfside cheaper to live in?
North Batemans Bay is cheaper to run by car at $22,635 per year versus $23,285 for Surfside, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Batemans Bay and Surfside?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,285 in North Batemans Bay (Eurobodalla rates (OLG) and $1,285 in Surfside (Eurobodalla rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in North Batemans Bay and $1,300 in Surfside. 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 North Batemans Bay and Surfside?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from North Batemans Bay and $17,600 from Surfside to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Batemans Bay and $2,400 from Surfside.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Batemans Bay and Surfside?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Batemans Bay costs a cumulative $259,485 and Surfside costs $266,936 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,451 in favour of North Batemans Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Batemans Bay and Surfside 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: Eurobodalla rates (OLG and Eurobodalla 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.