Mayfield East vs Tighes Hill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mayfield East and Tighes Hill are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.4 km and 3.5 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $283 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, Tighes Hill costs about $3,200 less to run than Mayfield East. That's about $6 a week.
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Tighes Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mayfield East | Tighes Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,453 | $1,170 | +$283 |
| 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) | $6,538 | $6,255 | +$283 |
| 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 | Mayfield East | Tighes Hill | 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, Mayfield East vs Tighes Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mayfield East and Tighes Hill cost within $283 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,244, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $283 per year. Mayfield East is 4.4 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 $283 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 Tighes Hill by $283 a year, $1,170 against $1,453.
- 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 Tighes Hill against 7.1 in Mayfield East, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mayfield East cumulative | Tighes Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,538 | $6,255 | $283 |
| Year 3 | $20,208 | $19,334 | $874 |
| Year 5 | $34,711 | $33,209 | $1,502 |
| Year 10 | $74,951 | $71,707 | $3,244 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mayfield East or Tighes Hill cheaper to live in?
Tighes Hill is cheaper to run by car at $6,255 per year versus $6,538 for Mayfield East, a difference of $283 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mayfield East and Tighes Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Mayfield East (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Tighes Hill (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Mayfield East and $1,377 in Tighes Hill. 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 Mayfield East and Tighes Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,453 from Mayfield East and $1,170 from Tighes Hill to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mayfield East and $2,400 from Tighes Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mayfield East and Tighes Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mayfield East costs a cumulative $74,951 and Tighes Hill costs $71,707 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,244 in favour of Tighes Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mayfield East and Tighes Hill suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.