Hexham vs Maryland: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hexham and Maryland are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 121.4 km and 117.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Maryland runs $300 a year cheaper than Hexham, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Hexham
Maryland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hexham | Maryland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,935 | $23,635 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,735 | $8,435 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hexham | Maryland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Hexham vs Maryland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Maryland costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Maryland.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Hexham carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,735 from Hexham versus $8,435 from Maryland.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hexham cumulative | Maryland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,935 | $23,635 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $73,981 | $73,053 | $928 |
| Year 5 | $127,074 | $125,481 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $274,388 | $270,949 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hexham or Maryland cheaper to live in?
Maryland is cheaper to run by car at $23,635 per year versus $23,935 for Hexham, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hexham and Maryland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Hexham (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Maryland (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Hexham and $1,377 in Maryland. 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 Hexham and Maryland?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Hexham and $17,600 from Maryland to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hexham and $2,400 from Maryland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hexham and Maryland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hexham costs a cumulative $274,388 and Maryland costs $270,949 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Maryland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hexham and Maryland 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.