Farley vs Mount Dee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Farley and Mount Dee are both Maitland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 31.9 km and 30.6 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $99 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 →Farley
Mount Dee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Farley | Mount Dee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,970 | $1,970 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,702 | $6,603 | +$99 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,149 | $13,050 | +$99 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,847 | $8,847 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Farley | Mount Dee | 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 — Farley vs Mount Dee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Farley and Mount Dee cost within $99 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,135, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $99 per year. Farley is 31.9 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, $8,847 and $8,847 a year, so the $99 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,970 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Dee by $99 a year, $6,603 against $6,702.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Farley cumulative | Mount Dee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,149 | $13,050 | $99 |
| Year 3 | $40,642 | $40,336 | $306 |
| Year 5 | $69,810 | $69,284 | $526 |
| Year 10 | $150,739 | $149,604 | $1,135 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Farley or Mount Dee cheaper to live in?
Mount Dee is cheaper to run by car at $13,050 per year versus $13,149 for Farley, a difference of $99 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Farley and Mount Dee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Farley (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Mount Dee (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Farley and $1,377 in Mount Dee. 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 Farley and Mount Dee?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,702 from Farley and $6,603 from Mount Dee to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Farley and $2,400 from Mount Dee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Farley and Mount Dee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Farley costs a cumulative $150,739 and Mount Dee costs $149,604 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,135 in favour of Mount Dee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Farley and Mount Dee 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.
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Sources: Maitland rates (OLG and Maitland 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.