Holmesville vs Killingworth: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Holmesville and Killingworth are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.1 km and 20.6 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $186 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. 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 →Holmesville
Killingworth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Holmesville | Killingworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,081 | $5,345 | -$264 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,071 | $10,885 | +$186 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $7,940 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Holmesville | Killingworth | 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 — Holmesville vs Killingworth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Holmesville and Killingworth cost within $186 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,133, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Holmesville carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,390 from Holmesville versus $7,940 from Killingworth.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Holmesville by $264 a year, $5,081 against $5,345.
- Building insurance favours Killingworth by $450 a year, $2,400 against $2,850.
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 medium in Holmesville against low in Killingworth, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Holmesville cumulative | Killingworth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,071 | $10,885 | $186 |
| Year 3 | $34,219 | $33,644 | $575 |
| Year 5 | $58,777 | $57,790 | $987 |
| Year 10 | $126,917 | $124,784 | $2,133 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Holmesville or Killingworth cheaper to live in?
Killingworth is cheaper to run by car at $10,885 per year versus $11,071 for Holmesville, a difference of $186 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Holmesville and Killingworth?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Holmesville (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Killingworth (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Holmesville and $1,377 in Killingworth. 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 Holmesville and Killingworth?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,081 from Holmesville and $5,345 from Killingworth to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Holmesville and $2,400 from Killingworth.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Holmesville and Killingworth?
At 3% annual cost growth, Holmesville costs a cumulative $126,917 and Killingworth costs $124,784 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,133 in favour of Killingworth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Holmesville and Killingworth 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.