Eagleton vs Seaham, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Eagleton and Seaham are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 26.1 km and 28.8 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $96 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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Seaham
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Eagleton | Seaham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,145 | $6,441 | -$296 |
| 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) | $10,987 | $11,083 | -$96 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,242 | $7,042 | +$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 | Eagleton | Seaham | 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, Eagleton vs Seaham (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Eagleton and Seaham cost within $96 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,100, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $296 per year. Seaham is 28.8 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,242 from Eagleton versus $7,042 from Seaham.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Eagleton by $296 a year, $6,145 against $6,441.
- Building insurance favours Seaham 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 high in Eagleton against medium in Seaham, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Eagleton cumulative | Seaham cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,987 | $11,083 | $96 |
| Year 3 | $33,960 | $34,256 | $296 |
| Year 5 | $58,331 | $58,841 | $510 |
| Year 10 | $125,954 | $127,054 | $1,100 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eagleton or Seaham cheaper to live in?
Eagleton is cheaper to run by car at $10,987 per year versus $11,083 for Seaham, a difference of $96 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Eagleton and Seaham?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Eagleton (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Seaham (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Eagleton and $1,377 in Seaham. 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 Eagleton and Seaham?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,145 from Eagleton and $6,441 from Seaham to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Eagleton and $2,400 from Seaham.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Eagleton and Seaham?
At 3% annual cost growth, Eagleton costs a cumulative $125,954 and Seaham costs $127,054 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,100 in favour of Eagleton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Eagleton and Seaham suits you better?
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Sources: Port Stephens 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.