Bennetts Green vs Redhead, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bennetts Green and Redhead are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 11 km and 12.4 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $96 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Bennetts Green
Redhead
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bennetts Green | Redhead | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,315 | $3,661 | -$346 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,600 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,305 | $8,401 | -$96 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,390 | $7,140 | +$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bennetts Green | Redhead | 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, Bennetts Green vs Redhead (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bennetts Green and Redhead cost within $96 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,100, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $346 per year. Redhead is 12.4 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,390 from Bennetts Green versus $7,140 from Redhead.
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 Bennetts Green by $346 a year, $3,315 against $3,661.
- Building insurance favours Redhead by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Bennetts Green against medium in Redhead, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bennetts Green cumulative | Redhead cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,305 | $8,401 | $96 |
| Year 3 | $25,670 | $25,967 | $297 |
| Year 5 | $44,092 | $44,602 | $510 |
| Year 10 | $95,208 | $96,308 | $1,100 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bennetts Green or Redhead cheaper to live in?
Bennetts Green is cheaper to run by car at $8,305 per year versus $8,401 for Redhead, a difference of $96 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bennetts Green and Redhead?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Bennetts Green (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Redhead (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Bennetts Green and $1,377 in Redhead. 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 Bennetts Green and Redhead?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,315 from Bennetts Green and $3,661 from Redhead to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bennetts Green and $2,400 from Redhead.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bennetts Green and Redhead?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bennetts Green costs a cumulative $95,208 and Redhead costs $96,308 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,100 in favour of Bennetts Green. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bennetts Green and Redhead suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.