Aberglasslyn vs Oakhampton Heights, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Aberglasslyn and Oakhampton Heights are both Maitland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 34.7 km and 32.8 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $296 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.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,400, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Aberglasslyn
Oakhampton Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aberglasslyn | Oakhampton Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,970 | $1,970 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,866 | $6,762 | +$104 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $1,850 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,663 | $11,959 | -$296 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,197 | $7,597 | -$400 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Aberglasslyn | Oakhampton Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Aberglasslyn vs Oakhampton Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Aberglasslyn and Oakhampton Heights differ by $296 a year by car, but $400 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $104, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Oakhampton Heights carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,197 from Aberglasslyn versus $7,597 from Oakhampton Heights.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,970 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Oakhampton Heights by $104 a year, $6,762 against $6,866.
- Building insurance favours Aberglasslyn by $400 a year, $1,450 against $1,850.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Oakhampton Heights against medium in Aberglasslyn, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aberglasslyn cumulative | Oakhampton Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,663 | $11,959 | $296 |
| Year 3 | $36,049 | $36,964 | $915 |
| Year 5 | $61,920 | $63,492 | $1,572 |
| Year 10 | $133,703 | $137,097 | $3,394 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aberglasslyn or Oakhampton Heights cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Aberglasslyn runs $11,663 a year by car and Oakhampton Heights $11,959, but most of the $296 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $104. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aberglasslyn and Oakhampton Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Aberglasslyn (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Oakhampton Heights (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Aberglasslyn and $1,377 in Oakhampton Heights. 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 Aberglasslyn and Oakhampton Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,866 from Aberglasslyn and $6,762 from Oakhampton Heights to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Aberglasslyn and $2,400 from Oakhampton Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aberglasslyn and Oakhampton Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aberglasslyn costs a cumulative $133,703 and Oakhampton Heights costs $137,097 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,394 in favour of Aberglasslyn. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aberglasslyn and Oakhampton Heights suits you better?
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Sources: Maitland rates (OLG and Maitland rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.