Black Hill vs Lenaghan: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Black Hill (Cessnock rates (OLG) and Lenaghan (Newcastle rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (121.9 km and 119.2 km).
The two sit within $0 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.
Black Hill
Lenaghan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Black Hill | Lenaghan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,458 | $1,858 | -$400 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,935 | $23,935 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,735 | $8,735 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Black Hill | Lenaghan | 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 — Black Hill vs Lenaghan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Black Hill and Lenaghan cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $400 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,735 and $8,735 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Black Hill cumulative | Lenaghan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,935 | $23,935 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,981 | $73,981 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $127,074 | $127,074 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $274,388 | $274,388 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Hill or Lenaghan cheaper to live in?
Black Hill is cheaper to run by car at $23,935 per year versus $23,935 for Lenaghan, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Black Hill and Lenaghan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,458 in Black Hill (Cessnock rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Lenaghan (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Black Hill and $1,377 in Lenaghan. 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 Black Hill and Lenaghan?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Black Hill and $17,600 from Lenaghan to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Black Hill and $2,400 from Lenaghan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Black Hill and Lenaghan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Black Hill costs a cumulative $274,388 and Lenaghan costs $274,388 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Black Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Black Hill and Lenaghan 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: Cessnock rates (OLG and Newcastle 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.