Raworth vs Tenambit: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Raworth and Tenambit are both Maitland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.7 km and 26.3 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tenambit runs $459 a year cheaper than Raworth, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,262.
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 →Raworth
Tenambit
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Raworth | Tenambit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,970 | $1,970 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,328 | $6,169 | +$159 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,775 | $12,316 | +$459 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,847 | $8,547 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Raworth | Tenambit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Raworth vs Tenambit (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tenambit costs $459 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,262 in favour of Tenambit.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Raworth carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,847 from Raworth versus $8,547 from Tenambit.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,970 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tenambit by $159 a year, $6,169 against $6,328.
- Building insurance favours Tenambit by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 Raworth against low in Tenambit, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Raworth cumulative | Tenambit cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,775 | $12,316 | $459 |
| Year 3 | $39,486 | $38,068 | $1,418 |
| Year 5 | $67,824 | $65,387 | $2,437 |
| Year 10 | $146,451 | $141,189 | $5,262 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raworth or Tenambit cheaper to live in?
Tenambit is cheaper to run by car at $12,316 per year versus $12,775 for Raworth, a difference of $459 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Raworth and Tenambit?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Raworth (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Tenambit (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Raworth and $1,377 in Tenambit. 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 Raworth and Tenambit?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,328 from Raworth and $6,169 from Tenambit to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Raworth and $2,400 from Tenambit.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Raworth and Tenambit?
At 3% annual cost growth, Raworth costs a cumulative $146,451 and Tenambit costs $141,189 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,262 in favour of Tenambit. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Raworth and Tenambit 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: Maitland rates (OLG and Maitland rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.