Carrington vs North Arm Cove, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carrington (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and North Arm Cove (Port Stephens rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Newcastle CBD (37.1 km and 39.2 km).
The two sit within $83 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.
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 →Carrington
North Arm Cove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carrington | North Arm Cove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,609 | $1,415 | +$194 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,377 | -$77 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,952 | $6,986 | -$34 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,952 | $2,400 | +$4,552 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,561 | $11,478 | +$83 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,561 | $6,892 | +$4,669 |
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 | Carrington | North Arm Cove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,342 | +$485 |
| Unit | $2,369 | $1,909 | +$460 |
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, Carrington vs North Arm Cove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carrington and North Arm Cove cost within $83 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $952, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $194 per year.
On public transport the gap is $4,669 per year, $11,561 from Carrington versus $6,892 from North Arm Cove.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours North Arm Cove by $194 a year, $1,415 against $1,609.
- Water and sewerage favours Carrington by $77 a year, $1,300 against $1,377.
- Driving commute favours Carrington by $34 a year, $6,952 against $6,986.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,700 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
The catchment state school scores 5.8 in North Arm Cove against 2.9 in Carrington, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carrington cumulative | North Arm Cove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,561 | $11,478 | $83 |
| Year 3 | $35,734 | $35,477 | $257 |
| Year 5 | $61,379 | $60,938 | $441 |
| Year 10 | $132,534 | $131,582 | $952 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carrington or North Arm Cove cheaper to live in?
North Arm Cove is cheaper to run by car at $11,478 per year versus $11,561 for Carrington, a difference of $83 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carrington and North Arm Cove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Carrington (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,415 in North Arm Cove (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Carrington and $1,377 in North Arm Cove. 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 Carrington and North Arm Cove?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,952 from Carrington and $6,986 from North Arm Cove to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Arm Cove. No daily public transport commute is assumed from Carrington, so it is costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carrington and North Arm Cove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carrington costs a cumulative $132,534 and North Arm Cove costs $131,582 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $952 in favour of North Arm Cove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carrington and North Arm Cove suits you better?
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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Port Stephens 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.