Callaghan vs Jesmond, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Callaghan and Jesmond are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.1 km and 8.8 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $7 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.
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Jesmond
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Callaghan | Jesmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,544 | $2,737 | -$193 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $1,850 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,829 | $7,822 | +$7 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,685 | $7,485 | +$200 |
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 | Callaghan | Jesmond | 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, Callaghan vs Jesmond (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Callaghan and Jesmond cost within $7 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $81, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Callaghan carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,685 from Callaghan versus $7,485 from Jesmond.
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 Callaghan by $193 a year, $2,544 against $2,737.
- Building insurance favours Jesmond by $200 a year, $1,850 against $2,050.
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 medium in Callaghan against low in Jesmond, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Callaghan cumulative | Jesmond cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,829 | $7,822 | $7 |
| Year 3 | $24,199 | $24,177 | $22 |
| Year 5 | $41,565 | $41,528 | $37 |
| Year 10 | $89,751 | $89,670 | $81 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Callaghan or Jesmond cheaper to live in?
Jesmond is cheaper to run by car at $7,822 per year versus $7,829 for Callaghan, a difference of $7 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Callaghan and Jesmond?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Callaghan (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Jesmond (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Callaghan and $1,377 in Jesmond. 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 Callaghan and Jesmond?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,544 from Callaghan and $2,737 from Jesmond to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Callaghan and $2,400 from Jesmond.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Callaghan and Jesmond?
At 3% annual cost growth, Callaghan costs a cumulative $89,751 and Jesmond costs $89,670 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $81 in favour of Jesmond. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Callaghan and Jesmond suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.