Kooragang vs Mayfield: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kooragang and Mayfield are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 121.2 km and 118.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $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.
Kooragang
Mayfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kooragang | Mayfield | 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 | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,635 | $23,635 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,435 | $8,435 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kooragang | Mayfield | 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 — Kooragang vs Mayfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kooragang and Mayfield 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kooragang cumulative | Mayfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,635 | $23,635 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,053 | $73,053 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $125,481 | $125,481 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $270,949 | $270,949 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kooragang or Mayfield cheaper to live in?
Kooragang is cheaper to run by car at $23,635 per year versus $23,635 for Mayfield, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kooragang and Mayfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Kooragang (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Mayfield (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Kooragang and $1,377 in Mayfield. 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 Kooragang and Mayfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Kooragang and $17,600 from Mayfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kooragang and $2,400 from Mayfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kooragang and Mayfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kooragang costs a cumulative $270,949 and Mayfield costs $270,949 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Kooragang. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kooragang and Mayfield 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.