North Tamworth vs Tamworth, 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 Tamworth are both Tamworth Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.5 km and 0 km from Tamworth CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tamworth runs $582 a year cheaper than North Tamworth, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,672.
Over 10 years, Tamworth costs about $6,700 less to run than North Tamworth. That's about $13 a week.
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Tamworth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Tamworth | Tamworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,442 | $1,442 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $846 | $514 | +$332 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $846 | $514 | +$332 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,300 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,138 | $4,556 | +$582 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,138 | $4,556 | +$582 |
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 | Tamworth | 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 Tamworth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tamworth costs $582 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,672 in favour of Tamworth.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $332 per year. North Tamworth is 2.5 km from Tamworth CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $582 per year, $5,138 from North Tamworth versus $4,556 from Tamworth.
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 Tamworth by $332 a year, $514 against $846.
- Building insurance favours Tamworth by $250 a year, $1,300 against $1,550.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in North Tamworth against low in Tamworth, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Tamworth cumulative | Tamworth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,138 | $4,556 | $582 |
| Year 3 | $15,881 | $14,082 | $1,799 |
| Year 5 | $27,278 | $24,188 | $3,090 |
| Year 10 | $58,901 | $52,229 | $6,672 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Tamworth or Tamworth cheaper to live in?
Tamworth is cheaper to run by car at $4,556 per year versus $5,138 for North Tamworth, a difference of $582 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 Tamworth?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,442 in North Tamworth (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG) and $1,442 in Tamworth (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in North Tamworth and $1,300 in Tamworth. 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 Tamworth?
Annual driving commute costs are $846 from North Tamworth and $514 from Tamworth 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 Tamworth?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Tamworth costs a cumulative $58,901 and Tamworth costs $52,229 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,672 in favour of Tamworth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Tamworth and Tamworth suits you better?
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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.