Cardiff vs Macquarie Hills, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cardiff and Macquarie Hills are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 11.4 km and 12.8 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $241 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, Cardiff costs about $2,800 less to run than Macquarie Hills. That's about $5 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Cardiff
Macquarie Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cardiff | Macquarie Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,416 | $3,757 | -$341 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,400 | $1,300 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,956 | $8,197 | -$241 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,940 | $6,840 | +$100 |
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 | Cardiff | Macquarie Hills | 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, Cardiff vs Macquarie Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cardiff and Macquarie Hills cost within $241 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,762, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $341 per year. Macquarie Hills is 12.8 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, $6,940 and $6,840 a year, so the $241 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cardiff by $341 a year, $3,416 against $3,757.
- Building insurance favours Macquarie Hills by $100 a year, $1,300 against $1,400.
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 Cardiff against low in Macquarie Hills, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Macquarie Hills against low in Cardiff, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cardiff cumulative | Macquarie Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,956 | $8,197 | $241 |
| Year 3 | $24,591 | $25,336 | $745 |
| Year 5 | $42,239 | $43,519 | $1,280 |
| Year 10 | $91,207 | $93,969 | $2,762 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cardiff or Macquarie Hills cheaper to live in?
Cardiff is cheaper to run by car at $7,956 per year versus $8,197 for Macquarie Hills, a difference of $241 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cardiff and Macquarie Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Cardiff (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Macquarie Hills (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Cardiff and $1,377 in Macquarie Hills. 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 Cardiff and Macquarie Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,416 from Cardiff and $3,757 from Macquarie Hills to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cardiff and $2,400 from Macquarie Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cardiff and Macquarie Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cardiff costs a cumulative $91,207 and Macquarie Hills costs $93,969 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,762 in favour of Cardiff. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cardiff and Macquarie Hills suits you better?
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Sources: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.