Springvale vs Tatton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Springvale and Tatton are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 7.2 km and 5.6 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tatton runs $470 a year cheaper than Springvale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,388.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
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Tatton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Springvale | Tatton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,290 | $1,820 | +$470 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,584 | $6,114 | +$470 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,694 | $6,694 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Springvale | Tatton | 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 — Springvale vs Tatton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tatton costs $470 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,388 in favour of Tatton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $470 per year. Springvale is 7.2 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,694 and $6,694 a year, so the $470 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tatton by $470 a year, $1,820 against $2,290.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,700 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 4.3 in Tatton against 1.8 in Springvale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Springvale cumulative | Tatton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,584 | $6,114 | $470 |
| Year 3 | $20,350 | $18,898 | $1,452 |
| Year 5 | $34,955 | $32,460 | $2,495 |
| Year 10 | $75,478 | $70,090 | $5,388 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Springvale or Tatton cheaper to live in?
Tatton is cheaper to run by car at $6,114 per year versus $6,584 for Springvale, a difference of $470 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Springvale and Tatton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Springvale (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Tatton (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Springvale and $1,300 in Tatton. 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 Springvale and Tatton?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,290 from Springvale and $1,820 from Tatton to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Springvale and $2,400 from Tatton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Springvale and Tatton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Springvale costs a cumulative $75,478 and Tatton costs $70,090 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,388 in favour of Tatton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Springvale and Tatton 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: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga 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.