East Seaham vs Glen Oak: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Seaham and Glen Oak are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32.6 km and 35.4 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $104 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. 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 →East Seaham
Glen Oak
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Seaham | Glen Oak | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,750 | $6,896 | -$146 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,850 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,642 | $12,538 | +$104 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $8,042 | +$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | East Seaham | Glen Oak | 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 — East Seaham vs Glen Oak (2026-27)
What the numbers show
East Seaham and Glen Oak cost within $104 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,192, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. East Seaham carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,292 from East Seaham versus $8,042 from Glen Oak.
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 East Seaham by $146 a year, $6,750 against $6,896.
- Building insurance favours Glen Oak by $250 a year, $2,850 against $3,100.
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 high in East Seaham against medium in Glen Oak, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Glen Oak against medium in East Seaham, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Seaham cumulative | Glen Oak cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,642 | $12,538 | $104 |
| Year 3 | $39,075 | $38,754 | $321 |
| Year 5 | $67,118 | $66,566 | $552 |
| Year 10 | $144,926 | $143,734 | $1,192 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Seaham or Glen Oak cheaper to live in?
Glen Oak is cheaper to run by car at $12,538 per year versus $12,642 for East Seaham, a difference of $104 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in East Seaham and Glen Oak?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in East Seaham (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Glen Oak (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in East Seaham and $1,377 in Glen Oak. 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 East Seaham and Glen Oak?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,750 from East Seaham and $6,896 from Glen Oak to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from East Seaham and $2,400 from Glen Oak.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Seaham and Glen Oak?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Seaham costs a cumulative $144,926 and Glen Oak costs $143,734 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,192 in favour of Glen Oak. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Seaham and Glen Oak 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.