Duckenfield vs Osterley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Duckenfield (Maitland rates (OLG) and Osterley (Port Stephens rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Newcastle CBD (23.1 km and 23.8 km).
Osterley runs $454 a year cheaper than Duckenfield, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,205.
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 →Duckenfield
Osterley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duckenfield | Osterley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,970 | $1,415 | +$555 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,741 | $5,842 | -$101 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,188 | $11,734 | +$454 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,847 | $8,292 | +$555 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Duckenfield | Osterley | 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 — Duckenfield vs Osterley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Osterley costs $454 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,205 in favour of Osterley.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $555 per year.
On public transport the gap is $555 per year, $8,847 from Duckenfield versus $8,292 from Osterley.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Osterley by $555 a year, $1,415 against $1,970.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Duckenfield by $101 a year, $5,741 against $5,842.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duckenfield cumulative | Osterley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,188 | $11,734 | $454 |
| Year 3 | $37,672 | $36,269 | $1,403 |
| Year 5 | $64,708 | $62,297 | $2,411 |
| Year 10 | $139,722 | $134,517 | $5,205 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duckenfield or Osterley cheaper to live in?
Osterley is cheaper to run by car at $11,734 per year versus $12,188 for Duckenfield, a difference of $454 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Duckenfield and Osterley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Duckenfield (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Osterley (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Duckenfield and $1,377 in Osterley. 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 Duckenfield and Osterley?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,741 from Duckenfield and $5,842 from Osterley to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Duckenfield and $2,400 from Osterley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duckenfield and Osterley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duckenfield costs a cumulative $139,722 and Osterley costs $134,517 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,205 in favour of Osterley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duckenfield and Osterley 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: Maitland 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.