Blackwall vs St Huberts Island: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blackwall and St Huberts Island are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42 km and 43.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
St Huberts Island runs $338 a year cheaper than Blackwall, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,875.
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 →Blackwall
St Huberts Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blackwall | St Huberts Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,742 | $6,704 | +$38 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,950 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,746 | $12,408 | +$338 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,404 | $8,104 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blackwall | St Huberts Island | 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 — Blackwall vs St Huberts Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
St Huberts Island costs $338 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,875 in favour of St Huberts Island.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Blackwall carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,404 from Blackwall versus $8,104 from St Huberts Island.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blackwall cumulative | St Huberts Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,746 | $12,408 | $338 |
| Year 3 | $39,397 | $38,352 | $1,045 |
| Year 5 | $67,670 | $65,876 | $1,794 |
| Year 10 | $146,119 | $142,244 | $3,875 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackwall or St Huberts Island cheaper to live in?
St Huberts Island is cheaper to run by car at $12,408 per year versus $12,746 for Blackwall, a difference of $338 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blackwall and St Huberts Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Blackwall (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in St Huberts Island (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Blackwall and $1,300 in St Huberts Island. 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 Blackwall and St Huberts Island?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,742 from Blackwall and $6,704 from St Huberts Island to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blackwall and $2,400 from St Huberts Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blackwall and St Huberts Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blackwall costs a cumulative $146,119 and St Huberts Island costs $142,244 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,875 in favour of St Huberts Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blackwall and St Huberts Island 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.