Hamilton East vs Wickham: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hamilton East and Wickham are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.5 km and 2.5 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Hamilton East
Wickham
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hamilton East | Wickham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $846 | $846 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,881 | $6,881 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,435 | $8,435 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hamilton East | Wickham | 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 — Hamilton East vs Wickham (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hamilton East and Wickham cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,435 and $8,435 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,858 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $846 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 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. On these four costs they are identical.
The catchment state school scores 9.5 in Hamilton East against 5.9 in Wickham, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hamilton East cumulative | Wickham cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,881 | $6,881 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $21,268 | $21,268 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $36,532 | $36,532 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $78,883 | $78,883 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hamilton East or Wickham cheaper to live in?
Hamilton East is cheaper to run by car at $6,881 per year versus $6,881 for Wickham, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hamilton East and Wickham?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Hamilton East (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Wickham (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Hamilton East and $1,377 in Wickham. 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 Hamilton East and Wickham?
Annual driving commute costs are $846 from Hamilton East and $846 from Wickham to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hamilton East and $2,400 from Wickham.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hamilton East and Wickham?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hamilton East costs a cumulative $78,883 and Wickham costs $78,883 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Hamilton East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hamilton East and Wickham 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: Newcastle rates (OLG and Newcastle 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.