Tomewin vs Urliup: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Tomewin and Urliup are both Tweed rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 658.3 km and 656.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tomewin runs $450 a year cheaper than Urliup, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Tomewin
Urliup
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Tomewin | Urliup | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,799 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,850 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,099 | $23,549 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,899 | $8,349 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Tomewin | Urliup | 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 — Tomewin vs Urliup (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tomewin costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Tomewin.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Urliup carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,899 from Tomewin versus $8,349 from Urliup.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Tomewin cumulative | Urliup cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,099 | $23,549 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $71,397 | $72,788 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $122,636 | $125,025 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $264,804 | $269,963 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tomewin or Urliup cheaper to live in?
Tomewin is cheaper to run by car at $23,099 per year versus $23,549 for Urliup, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Tomewin and Urliup?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in Tomewin (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,799 in Urliup (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Tomewin and $1,300 in Urliup. 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 Tomewin and Urliup?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Tomewin and $17,600 from Urliup to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Tomewin and $2,400 from Urliup.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Tomewin and Urliup?
At 3% annual cost growth, Tomewin costs a cumulative $264,804 and Urliup costs $269,963 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Tomewin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Tomewin and Urliup 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: Tweed rates (OLG and Tweed 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.