Ferodale vs Medowie, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ferodale and Medowie are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.5 km and 24.3 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Medowie runs $744 a year cheaper than Ferodale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,529.
Over 10 years, Medowie costs about $8,500 less to run than Ferodale. That's about $16 a week.
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 →Ferodale
Medowie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ferodale | Medowie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,306 | $5,912 | +$394 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $1,700 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,148 | $10,404 | +$744 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,242 | $6,892 | +$350 |
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 | Ferodale | Medowie | 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, Ferodale vs Medowie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Medowie costs $744 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,529 in favour of Medowie.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $394 per year. Ferodale is 27.5 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,242 from Ferodale versus $6,892 from Medowie.
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 Medowie by $394 a year, $5,912 against $6,306.
- Building insurance favours Medowie by $350 a year, $1,700 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.
Flood risk is rated high in Ferodale against medium in Medowie, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ferodale cumulative | Medowie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,148 | $10,404 | $744 |
| Year 3 | $34,457 | $32,158 | $2,299 |
| Year 5 | $59,186 | $55,236 | $3,950 |
| Year 10 | $127,799 | $119,270 | $8,529 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ferodale or Medowie cheaper to live in?
Medowie is cheaper to run by car at $10,404 per year versus $11,148 for Ferodale, a difference of $744 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ferodale and Medowie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Ferodale (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Medowie (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Ferodale and $1,377 in Medowie. 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 Ferodale and Medowie?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,306 from Ferodale and $5,912 from Medowie to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ferodale and $2,400 from Medowie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ferodale and Medowie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ferodale costs a cumulative $127,799 and Medowie costs $119,270 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,529 in favour of Medowie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ferodale and Medowie 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: 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.