Kooragang vs Mayfield North: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kooragang and Mayfield North are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.6 km and 5.6 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $296 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 →Kooragang
Mayfield North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kooragang | Mayfield North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,116 | $1,820 | +$296 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,151 | $7,855 | +$296 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,435 | $8,435 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kooragang | Mayfield North | 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 — Kooragang vs Mayfield North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kooragang and Mayfield North cost within $296 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,393, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $296 per year. Kooragang is 6.6 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,435 and $8,435 a year, so the $296 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,858 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mayfield North by $296 a year, $1,820 against $2,116.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,800 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 | Kooragang cumulative | Mayfield North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,151 | $7,855 | $296 |
| Year 3 | $25,194 | $24,279 | $915 |
| Year 5 | $43,275 | $41,703 | $1,572 |
| Year 10 | $93,442 | $90,049 | $3,393 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kooragang or Mayfield North cheaper to live in?
Mayfield North is cheaper to run by car at $7,855 per year versus $8,151 for Kooragang, a difference of $296 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kooragang and Mayfield North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Kooragang (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Mayfield North (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Kooragang and $1,377 in Mayfield North. 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 North?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,116 from Kooragang and $1,820 from Mayfield North to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kooragang and $2,400 from Mayfield North.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kooragang and Mayfield North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kooragang costs a cumulative $93,442 and Mayfield North costs $90,049 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,393 in favour of Mayfield North. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kooragang and Mayfield North 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.