Jewells vs Redhead: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Jewells and Redhead are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 105.2 km and 105.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Redhead runs $400 a year cheaper than Jewells, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Jewells
Redhead
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jewells | Redhead | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,450 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,590 | $23,190 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $7,990 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Jewells | Redhead | 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 — Jewells vs Redhead (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redhead costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Redhead.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Jewells carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,390 from Jewells versus $7,990 from Redhead.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jewells cumulative | Redhead cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,590 | $23,190 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,914 | $71,678 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $125,243 | $123,119 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $270,433 | $265,847 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jewells or Redhead cheaper to live in?
Redhead is cheaper to run by car at $23,190 per year versus $23,590 for Jewells, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jewells and Redhead?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Jewells (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Redhead (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Jewells and $1,377 in Redhead. 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 Jewells and Redhead?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Jewells and $17,600 from Redhead to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Jewells and $2,400 from Redhead.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Jewells and Redhead?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jewells costs a cumulative $270,433 and Redhead costs $265,847 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Redhead. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jewells and Redhead 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.