Broadmeadow vs Hamilton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Broadmeadow and Hamilton are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.5 km and 3.5 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hamilton runs $314 a year cheaper than Broadmeadow, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,600.
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 →Broadmeadow
Hamilton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Broadmeadow | Hamilton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,484 | $1,170 | +$314 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,519 | $7,205 | +$314 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,435 | $8,435 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Broadmeadow | Hamilton | 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 — Broadmeadow vs Hamilton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hamilton costs $314 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,600 in favour of Hamilton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $314 per year. Broadmeadow is 4.5 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,435 and $8,435 a year, so the $314 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,858 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hamilton by $314 a year, $1,170 against $1,484.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 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.
The catchment state school scores 8.7 in Hamilton against 6.8 in Broadmeadow, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Broadmeadow cumulative | Hamilton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,519 | $7,205 | $314 |
| Year 3 | $23,240 | $22,270 | $970 |
| Year 5 | $39,919 | $38,252 | $1,667 |
| Year 10 | $86,197 | $82,597 | $3,600 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broadmeadow or Hamilton cheaper to live in?
Hamilton is cheaper to run by car at $7,205 per year versus $7,519 for Broadmeadow, a difference of $314 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Broadmeadow and Hamilton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Broadmeadow (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Hamilton (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Broadmeadow and $1,377 in Hamilton. 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 Broadmeadow and Hamilton?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,484 from Broadmeadow and $1,170 from Hamilton to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Broadmeadow and $2,400 from Hamilton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Broadmeadow and Hamilton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Broadmeadow costs a cumulative $86,197 and Hamilton costs $82,597 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,600 in favour of Hamilton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Broadmeadow and Hamilton 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: Newcastle rates (OLG and Newcastle 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.