Soldiers Point vs Taylors Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Soldiers Point and Taylors Beach are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 151.7 km and 148.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Soldiers Point runs $1,350 a year cheaper than Taylors Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,476.
Over 10 years, Soldiers Point costs about $15,500 less to run than Taylors Beach — the same as paying $15,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Taylors Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Soldiers Point | Taylors Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $3,500 | -$1,350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,542 | $23,892 | -$1,350 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,342 | $8,692 | -$1,350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Soldiers Point | Taylors Beach | 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 — Soldiers Point vs Taylors Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Soldiers Point costs $1,350 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,476 in favour of Soldiers Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,350 per year. Taylors Beach carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,350 per year, $7,342 from Soldiers Point versus $8,692 from Taylors Beach.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Soldiers Point cumulative | Taylors Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,542 | $23,892 | $1,350 |
| Year 3 | $69,675 | $73,848 | $4,173 |
| Year 5 | $119,679 | $126,846 | $7,167 |
| Year 10 | $258,419 | $273,895 | $15,476 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Soldiers Point or Taylors Beach cheaper to live in?
Soldiers Point is cheaper to run by car at $22,542 per year versus $23,892 for Taylors Beach, a difference of $1,350 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Soldiers Point and Taylors Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Soldiers Point (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Taylors Beach (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Soldiers Point and $1,377 in Taylors Beach. 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 Soldiers Point and Taylors Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Soldiers Point and $17,600 from Taylors Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Soldiers Point and $2,400 from Taylors Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Soldiers Point and Taylors Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Soldiers Point costs a cumulative $258,419 and Taylors Beach costs $273,895 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,476 in favour of Soldiers Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Soldiers Point and Taylors Beach 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: Port Stephens rates (OLG and Port Stephens 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.