Belmont vs Belmont South: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Belmont and Belmont South are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $24 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. 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 →Belmont
Belmont South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belmont | Belmont South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,388 | $4,364 | +$24 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,628 | $10,604 | +$24 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,640 | $8,640 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Belmont | Belmont South | 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 — Belmont vs Belmont South (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belmont and Belmont South cost within $24 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $275, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $24 per year. Belmont South is 99.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,640 and $8,640 a year, so the $24 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Belmont South by $24 a year, $4,364 against $4,388.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Belmont cumulative | Belmont South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,628 | $10,604 | $24 |
| Year 3 | $32,850 | $32,776 | $74 |
| Year 5 | $56,425 | $56,298 | $127 |
| Year 10 | $121,838 | $121,563 | $275 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belmont or Belmont South cheaper to live in?
Belmont South is cheaper to run by car at $10,604 per year versus $10,628 for Belmont, a difference of $24 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belmont and Belmont South?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Belmont (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Belmont South (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Belmont and $1,377 in Belmont South. 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 Belmont and Belmont South?
Belmont is $4,388 a year to drive to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Belmont South is $4,364 a year to drive to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Belmont and $2,400 from Belmont South.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belmont and Belmont South?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belmont costs a cumulative $121,838 and Belmont South costs $121,563 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $275 in favour of Belmont South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belmont and Belmont South 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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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.