Brookfield vs Glen William: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brookfield and Glen William are both Dungog rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.4 km and 46.9 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Brookfield runs $481 a year cheaper than Glen William, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,514.
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 →Brookfield
Glen William
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brookfield | Glen William | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,712 | $1,712 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,750 | $6,781 | -$31 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,450 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,839 | $12,320 | -$481 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,489 | $7,939 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brookfield | Glen William | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Brookfield vs Glen William (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brookfield costs $481 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,514 in favour of Brookfield.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Glen William carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,489 from Brookfield versus $7,939 from Glen William.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,712 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Brookfield by $31 a year, $6,750 against $6,781.
- Building insurance favours Brookfield by $450 a year, $2,000 against $2,450.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Glen William against low in Brookfield, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brookfield cumulative | Glen William cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,839 | $12,320 | $481 |
| Year 3 | $36,593 | $38,080 | $1,487 |
| Year 5 | $62,855 | $65,409 | $2,554 |
| Year 10 | $135,721 | $141,235 | $5,514 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brookfield or Glen William cheaper to live in?
Brookfield is cheaper to run by car at $11,839 per year versus $12,320 for Glen William, a difference of $481 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brookfield and Glen William?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,712 in Brookfield (Dungog rates (OLG) and $1,712 in Glen William (Dungog rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Brookfield and $1,377 in Glen William. 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 Brookfield and Glen William?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,750 from Brookfield and $6,781 from Glen William to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Brookfield and $2,400 from Glen William.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brookfield and Glen William?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brookfield costs a cumulative $135,721 and Glen William costs $141,235 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,514 in favour of Brookfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brookfield and Glen William 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: Dungog rates (OLG and Dungog 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.