North Tumbulgum vs Stotts Creek: 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 Tumbulgum and Stotts Creek are both Tweed rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 659.9 km and 659.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
North Tumbulgum
Stotts Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Tumbulgum | Stotts Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,799 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,799 | $23,799 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,599 | $8,599 | - |
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 Tumbulgum | Stotts Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 Tumbulgum vs Stotts Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Tumbulgum and Stotts Creek cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,599 and $8,599 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Tumbulgum cumulative | Stotts Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,799 | $23,799 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,560 | $73,560 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $126,352 | $126,352 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $272,829 | $272,829 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Tumbulgum or Stotts Creek cheaper to live in?
North Tumbulgum is cheaper to run by car at $23,799 per year versus $23,799 for Stotts Creek, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Tumbulgum and Stotts Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in North Tumbulgum (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,799 in Stotts Creek (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in North Tumbulgum and $1,300 in Stotts Creek. 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 Tumbulgum and Stotts Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from North Tumbulgum and $17,600 from Stotts Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Tumbulgum and $2,400 from Stotts Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Tumbulgum and Stotts Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Tumbulgum costs a cumulative $272,829 and Stotts Creek costs $272,829 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of North Tumbulgum. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Tumbulgum and Stotts Creek 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.
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Sources: Tweed rates (OLG and Tweed 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.