Holgate vs Matcham, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Holgate and Matcham are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 54.2 km and 54.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $63 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.
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 →Holgate
Matcham
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Holgate | Matcham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,108 | $6,045 | +$63 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,712 | $10,649 | +$63 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,004 | $7,004 | - |
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 | Holgate | Matcham | 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, Holgate vs Matcham (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Holgate and Matcham cost within $63 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $722, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $63 per year. Matcham is 54.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,004 and $7,004 a year, so the $63 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Matcham by $63 a year, $6,045 against $6,108.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Holgate cumulative | Matcham cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,712 | $10,649 | $63 |
| Year 3 | $33,110 | $32,915 | $195 |
| Year 5 | $56,871 | $56,537 | $334 |
| Year 10 | $122,801 | $122,079 | $722 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Holgate or Matcham cheaper to live in?
Matcham is cheaper to run by car at $10,649 per year versus $10,712 for Holgate, a difference of $63 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Holgate and Matcham?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Holgate (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Matcham (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Holgate and $1,300 in Matcham. 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 Holgate and Matcham?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,108 from Holgate and $6,045 from Matcham to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Holgate and $2,400 from Matcham.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Holgate and Matcham?
At 3% annual cost growth, Holgate costs a cumulative $122,801 and Matcham costs $122,079 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $722 in favour of Matcham. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Holgate and Matcham 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.