Tooloom vs Upper Tooloom: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Tooloom and Upper Tooloom are both Tenterfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 599.6 km and 599.4 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.
Tooloom
Upper Tooloom
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Tooloom | Upper Tooloom | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $969 | $969 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,269 | $22,269 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,069 | $7,069 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Tooloom | Upper Tooloom | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Tooloom vs Upper Tooloom (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tooloom and Upper Tooloom 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, $7,069 and $7,069 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Tooloom cumulative | Upper Tooloom cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,269 | $22,269 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,831 | $68,831 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $118,229 | $118,229 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $255,289 | $255,289 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tooloom or Upper Tooloom cheaper to live in?
Tooloom is cheaper to run by car at $22,269 per year versus $22,269 for Upper Tooloom, 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 Tooloom and Upper Tooloom?
Annual council rates for a house are $969 in Tooloom (Tenterfield rates (OLG) and $969 in Upper Tooloom (Tenterfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Tooloom and $1,300 in Upper Tooloom. 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 Tooloom and Upper Tooloom?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Tooloom and $17,600 from Upper Tooloom to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Tooloom and $2,400 from Upper Tooloom.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Tooloom and Upper Tooloom?
At 3% annual cost growth, Tooloom costs a cumulative $255,289 and Upper Tooloom costs $255,289 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Tooloom. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Tooloom and Upper Tooloom 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: Tenterfield rates (OLG and Tenterfield 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.