Fullerton Cove vs Williamtown, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fullerton Cove (Newcastle rates (OLG) and Williamtown (Port Stephens rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Newcastle CBD (10.8 km and 12.3 km).
The two sit within $130 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 the gap between these two is about $1,500, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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 →Fullerton Cove
Williamtown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fullerton Cove | Williamtown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,858 | $1,415 | +$443 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,264 | $3,637 | -$373 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,050 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,349 | $8,479 | -$130 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,485 | $7,242 | +$243 |
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 | Fullerton Cove | Williamtown | 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, Fullerton Cove vs Williamtown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fullerton Cove and Williamtown differ by $130 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $70, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $443 per year.
On public transport the gap is $243 per year, $7,485 from Fullerton Cove versus $7,242 from Williamtown.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Williamtown by $443 a year, $1,415 against $1,858.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Fullerton Cove by $373 a year, $3,264 against $3,637.
- Building insurance favours Fullerton Cove by $200 a year, $1,850 against $2,050.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Williamtown against medium in Fullerton Cove, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fullerton Cove cumulative | Williamtown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,349 | $8,479 | $130 |
| Year 3 | $25,806 | $26,208 | $402 |
| Year 5 | $44,326 | $45,016 | $690 |
| Year 10 | $95,712 | $97,202 | $1,490 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fullerton Cove or Williamtown cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Fullerton Cove runs $8,349 a year by car and Williamtown $8,479, but most of the $130 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $70. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fullerton Cove and Williamtown?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Fullerton Cove (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Williamtown (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Fullerton Cove and $1,377 in Williamtown. 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 Fullerton Cove and Williamtown?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,264 from Fullerton Cove and $3,637 from Williamtown to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fullerton Cove and $2,400 from Williamtown.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fullerton Cove and Williamtown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fullerton Cove costs a cumulative $95,712 and Williamtown costs $97,202 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,490 in favour of Fullerton Cove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fullerton Cove and Williamtown 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: Newcastle 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.