Barnsley vs Killingworth: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barnsley and Killingworth are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.1 km and 20.6 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $1 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.
Barnsley
Killingworth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barnsley | Killingworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,894 | $5,345 | -$451 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,884 | $10,885 | -$1 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $7,940 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Barnsley | Killingworth | 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 — Barnsley vs Killingworth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barnsley and Killingworth cost within $1 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $11, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $451 per year. Killingworth is 20.6 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,390 from Barnsley versus $7,940 from Killingworth.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Barnsley by $451 a year, $4,894 against $5,345.
- Building insurance favours Killingworth by $450 a year, $2,400 against $2,850.
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 medium in Barnsley against low in Killingworth, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barnsley cumulative | Killingworth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,884 | $10,885 | $1 |
| Year 3 | $33,641 | $33,644 | $3 |
| Year 5 | $57,785 | $57,790 | $5 |
| Year 10 | $124,773 | $124,784 | $11 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barnsley or Killingworth cheaper to live in?
Barnsley is cheaper to run by car at $10,884 per year versus $10,885 for Killingworth, a difference of $1 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $4,894 from Barnsley and $5,345 from Killingworth to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/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 $124,773 and Killingworth costs $124,784 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11 in favour of Barnsley. 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.