Old Bar vs Oxley Island: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Old Bar and Oxley Island are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 247.7 km and 251 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.
Old Bar
Oxley Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Old Bar | Oxley Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| 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) | $23,609 | $23,609 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,409 | $8,409 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Old Bar | Oxley Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Old Bar vs Oxley Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Old Bar and Oxley Island 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, $8,409 and $8,409 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Old Bar cumulative | Oxley Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,609 | $23,609 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,973 | $72,973 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $125,343 | $125,343 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $270,651 | $270,651 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Old Bar or Oxley Island cheaper to live in?
Old Bar is cheaper to run by car at $23,609 per year versus $23,609 for Oxley Island, 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 Old Bar and Oxley Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Old Bar (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Oxley Island (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Old Bar and $1,300 in Oxley Island. 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 Old Bar and Oxley Island?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Old Bar and $17,600 from Oxley Island to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Old Bar and $2,400 from Oxley Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Old Bar and Oxley Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Old Bar costs a cumulative $270,651 and Oxley Island costs $270,651 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Old Bar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Old Bar and Oxley Island 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.