North Tamworth vs Oxley Vale, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
North Tamworth and Oxley Vale are both Tamworth Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.5 km and 5.8 km from Tamworth CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Tamworth runs $1,034 a year cheaper than Oxley Vale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,854.
Over 10 years, North Tamworth costs about $11,900 less to run than Oxley Vale. That's about $23 a week.
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 →North Tamworth
Oxley Vale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Tamworth | Oxley Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,442 | $1,442 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $846 | $1,880 | -$1,034 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $846 | $1,880 | -$1,034 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,138 | $6,172 | -$1,034 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,138 | $6,172 | -$1,034 |
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 | North Tamworth | Oxley Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, North Tamworth vs Oxley Vale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Tamworth costs $1,034 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,854 in favour of North Tamworth.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,034 per year. Oxley Vale is 5.8 km from Tamworth CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $1,034 per year, $5,138 from North Tamworth versus $6,172 from Oxley Vale.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,442 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Tamworth by $1,034 a year, $846 against $1,880.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,550 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 5.9 in North Tamworth against 2.8 in Oxley Vale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Tamworth cumulative | Oxley Vale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,138 | $6,172 | $1,034 |
| Year 3 | $15,881 | $19,077 | $3,196 |
| Year 5 | $27,278 | $32,768 | $5,490 |
| Year 10 | $58,901 | $70,755 | $11,854 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Tamworth or Oxley Vale cheaper to live in?
North Tamworth is cheaper to run by car at $5,138 per year versus $6,172 for Oxley Vale, a difference of $1,034 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Tamworth and Oxley Vale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,442 in North Tamworth (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG) and $1,442 in Oxley Vale (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in North Tamworth and $1,300 in Oxley Vale. 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 Tamworth and Oxley Vale?
Annual driving commute costs are $846 from North Tamworth and $1,880 from Oxley Vale to Tamworth CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Tamworth and Oxley Vale?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Tamworth costs a cumulative $58,901 and Oxley Vale costs $70,755 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,854 in favour of North Tamworth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Tamworth and Oxley Vale 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: Tamworth Regional rates (OLG and Tamworth Regional 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.