Adamstown vs Broadmeadow: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Adamstown and Broadmeadow are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 114 km and 115.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Adamstown runs $350 a year cheaper than Broadmeadow, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,013.
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 →Adamstown
Broadmeadow
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Adamstown | Broadmeadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,800 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,285 | $23,635 | -$350 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,085 | $8,435 | -$350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Adamstown | Broadmeadow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Adamstown vs Broadmeadow (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Adamstown costs $350 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,013 in favour of Adamstown.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Broadmeadow carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $8,085 from Adamstown versus $8,435 from Broadmeadow.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Adamstown cumulative | Broadmeadow cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,285 | $23,635 | $350 |
| Year 3 | $71,972 | $73,053 | $1,081 |
| Year 5 | $123,623 | $125,481 | $1,858 |
| Year 10 | $266,936 | $270,949 | $4,013 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adamstown or Broadmeadow cheaper to live in?
Adamstown is cheaper to run by car at $23,285 per year versus $23,635 for Broadmeadow, a difference of $350 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Adamstown and $17,600 from Broadmeadow to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $266,936 and Broadmeadow costs $270,949 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,013 in favour of Adamstown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Adamstown and Broadmeadow 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: Newcastle rates (OLG and Newcastle 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.