Barnsley vs Killingworth: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barnsley and Killingworth are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 109.8 km and 109.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Killingworth runs $450 a year cheaper than Barnsley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Barnsley
Killingworth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barnsley | Killingworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,590 | $23,140 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $7,940 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Barnsley | Killingworth | 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 — Barnsley vs Killingworth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Killingworth costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Killingworth.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Barnsley carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,390 from Barnsley versus $7,940 from Killingworth.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barnsley cumulative | Killingworth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,590 | $23,140 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $72,914 | $71,523 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $125,243 | $122,853 | $2,390 |
| Year 10 | $270,433 | $265,274 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barnsley or Killingworth cheaper to live in?
Killingworth is cheaper to run by car at $23,140 per year versus $23,590 for Barnsley, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barnsley and Killingworth?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Barnsley (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Killingworth (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Barnsley and $1,377 in Killingworth. 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 Barnsley and Killingworth?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Barnsley and $17,600 from Killingworth to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Barnsley and $2,400 from Killingworth.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barnsley and Killingworth?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barnsley costs a cumulative $270,433 and Killingworth costs $265,274 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Killingworth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barnsley and Killingworth 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: 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.