Adamstown vs Broadmeadow, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Adamstown and Broadmeadow are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.4 km and 4.5 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $26 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 these two cost about the same to run.
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Broadmeadow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Adamstown | Broadmeadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,760 | $1,484 | +$276 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,850 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,595 | $6,569 | +$26 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,235 | $7,485 | -$250 |
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 | Adamstown | Broadmeadow | 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, Adamstown vs Broadmeadow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Adamstown and Broadmeadow cost within $26 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $298, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $276 per year. Adamstown is 5.4 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,235 from Adamstown versus $7,485 from Broadmeadow.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,858 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Broadmeadow by $276 a year, $1,484 against $1,760.
- Building insurance favours Adamstown by $250 a year, $1,600 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 Broadmeadow against medium in Adamstown, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Adamstown against low in Broadmeadow, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8 in Adamstown against 6.8 in Broadmeadow, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Adamstown cumulative | Broadmeadow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,595 | $6,569 | $26 |
| Year 3 | $20,384 | $20,304 | $80 |
| Year 5 | $35,014 | $34,876 | $138 |
| Year 10 | $75,604 | $75,306 | $298 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adamstown or Broadmeadow cheaper to live in?
Broadmeadow is cheaper to run by car at $6,569 per year versus $6,595 for Adamstown, a difference of $26 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Adamstown and Broadmeadow?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Adamstown (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Broadmeadow (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Adamstown and $1,377 in Broadmeadow. 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 Adamstown and Broadmeadow?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Adamstown and $1,484 from Broadmeadow to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Adamstown and $2,400 from Broadmeadow.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Adamstown and Broadmeadow?
At 3% annual cost growth, Adamstown costs a cumulative $75,604 and Broadmeadow costs $75,306 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $298 in favour of Broadmeadow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Adamstown and Broadmeadow suits you better?
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Sources: Newcastle rates (OLG and Newcastle 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.