Martins Creek vs Paterson: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Martins Creek and Paterson are both Dungog rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 151 km and 148 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 →Martins Creek
Paterson
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Martins Creek | Paterson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,712 | $1,712 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,539 | $23,789 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,339 | $8,589 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Martins Creek | Paterson | 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 — Martins Creek vs Paterson (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Martins Creek and Paterson cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Paterson carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,339 from Martins Creek versus $8,589 from Paterson.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Martins Creek cumulative | Paterson cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,539 | $23,789 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $72,757 | $73,529 | $772 |
| Year 5 | $124,972 | $126,299 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $269,848 | $272,714 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Martins Creek or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Martins Creek is cheaper to run by car at $23,539 per year versus $23,789 for Paterson, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Martins Creek and Paterson?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,712 in Martins Creek (Dungog rates (OLG) and $1,712 in Paterson (Dungog rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Martins Creek and $1,377 in Paterson. 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 Martins Creek and Paterson?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Martins Creek and $17,600 from Paterson to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Martins Creek and $2,400 from Paterson.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Martins Creek and Paterson?
At 3% annual cost growth, Martins Creek costs a cumulative $269,848 and Paterson costs $272,714 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Martins Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Martins Creek and Paterson 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: Dungog rates (OLG and Dungog 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.