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Council rates: 2026-27 · Water & commute: 2025-26 · Sources: council websites, QUU, ATO, ABS

Argenton vs Edgeworth: true annual running costs compared (2026)

Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks

Argenton and Edgeworth are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 111.4 km and 111.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

The verdict
Argenton is the cheaper suburb to live in

Argenton runs $300 a year cheaper than Edgeworth, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.

$300difference per year
$3,439over 10 years
home insurancebiggest cost driver

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 →

Argenton

2284 · Lake Macquarie rates (OLG · 111.4 km from CBD
$23,540
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$8,340
School score4.4/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Edgeworth

2285 · Lake Macquarie rates (OLG · 111.4 km from CBD
$23,840
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$8,640
School score5.2/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryArgentonEdgeworthDifference
Council rates$1,763$1,763-
Water & sewerage$1,377$1,377-
Commute (driving)$17,600$17,600-
Commute (public transport)$2,400$2,400-
Home insurance$2,800$3,100-$300
Body corporate (unit)$1,800$1,800-
Total (driving)$23,540$23,840-$300
Total (public transport)$8,340$8,640-$300

Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingArgentonEdgeworthDifference
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 — Argenton vs Edgeworth (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Argenton costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Argenton.

The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Edgeworth carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.

On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,340 from Argenton versus $8,640 from Edgeworth.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearArgenton cumulativeEdgeworth cumulativeDifference
Year 1$23,540$23,840$300
Year 3$72,760$73,687$927
Year 5$124,977$126,570$1,593
Year 10$269,860$273,299$3,439

Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Argenton or Edgeworth cheaper to live in?

    Argenton is cheaper to run by car at $23,540 per year versus $23,840 for Edgeworth, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Argenton and Edgeworth?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Argenton (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Edgeworth (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Argenton and $1,377 in Edgeworth. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.

  3. How does the commute cost compare between Argenton and Edgeworth?

    Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Argenton and $17,600 from Edgeworth to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Argenton and $2,400 from Edgeworth.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between Argenton and Edgeworth?

    At 3% annual cost growth, Argenton costs a cumulative $269,860 and Edgeworth costs $273,299 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Argenton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Argenton and Edgeworth 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.

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Related comparisons

Sources: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.