Teven vs Tintenbar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Teven and Tintenbar are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 602.8 km and 605.7 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.
Teven
Tintenbar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Teven | Tintenbar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| 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) | $23,384 | $23,384 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,184 | $8,184 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Teven | Tintenbar | 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 — Teven vs Tintenbar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Teven and Tintenbar 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, $8,184 and $8,184 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Teven cumulative | Tintenbar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,384 | $23,384 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,278 | $72,278 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,149 | $124,149 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $268,071 | $268,071 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Teven or Tintenbar cheaper to live in?
Teven is cheaper to run by car at $23,384 per year versus $23,384 for Tintenbar, 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 Teven and Tintenbar?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Teven (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Tintenbar (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Teven and $1,300 in Tintenbar. 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 Teven and Tintenbar?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Teven and $17,600 from Tintenbar to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Teven and $2,400 from Tintenbar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Teven and Tintenbar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Teven costs a cumulative $268,071 and Tintenbar costs $268,071 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Teven. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Teven and Tintenbar 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: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.