Maryville vs Wickham, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Maryville and Wickham are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.1 km and 2.5 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $195 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, Wickham costs about $2,200 less to run than Maryville. That's about $4 a week.
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Wickham
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Maryville | Wickham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,041 | $846 | +$195 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,126 | $5,931 | +$195 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,485 | $7,485 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Maryville | Wickham | 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, Maryville vs Wickham (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Maryville and Wickham cost within $195 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,236, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $195 per year. Maryville is 3.1 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, $7,485 and $7,485 a year, so the $195 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 Wickham by $195 a year, $846 against $1,041.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 8.6 in Maryville against 5.9 in Wickham, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Maryville cumulative | Wickham cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,126 | $5,931 | $195 |
| Year 3 | $18,935 | $18,332 | $603 |
| Year 5 | $32,524 | $31,488 | $1,036 |
| Year 10 | $70,228 | $67,992 | $2,236 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maryville or Wickham cheaper to live in?
Wickham is cheaper to run by car at $5,931 per year versus $6,126 for Maryville, a difference of $195 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Maryville and Wickham?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Maryville (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Wickham (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Maryville and $1,377 in Wickham. 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 Maryville and Wickham?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,041 from Maryville and $846 from Wickham to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Maryville and $2,400 from Wickham.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Maryville and Wickham?
At 3% annual cost growth, Maryville costs a cumulative $70,228 and Wickham costs $67,992 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,236 in favour of Wickham. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Maryville and Wickham suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.