Mayfield vs Mayfield East: 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 and Mayfield East are both Newcastle rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.2 km and 4.4 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $246 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 →Mayfield
Mayfield East
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mayfield | Mayfield East | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,858 | $1,858 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,699 | $1,453 | +$246 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,734 | $7,488 | +$246 |
| 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 | Mayfield | Mayfield East | 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 vs Mayfield East (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mayfield and Mayfield East cost within $246 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,820, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $246 per year. Mayfield is 5.2 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 $246 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 East by $246 a year, $1,453 against $1,699.
- 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 | Mayfield cumulative | Mayfield East cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,734 | $7,488 | $246 |
| Year 3 | $23,905 | $23,145 | $760 |
| Year 5 | $41,061 | $39,755 | $1,306 |
| Year 10 | $88,662 | $85,842 | $2,820 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mayfield or Mayfield East cheaper to live in?
Mayfield East is cheaper to run by car at $7,488 per year versus $7,734 for Mayfield, a difference of $246 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mayfield and Mayfield East?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,858 in Mayfield (Newcastle rates (OLG) and $1,858 in Mayfield East (Newcastle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Mayfield and $1,377 in Mayfield East. 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 and Mayfield East?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,699 from Mayfield and $1,453 from Mayfield East to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mayfield and $2,400 from Mayfield East.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mayfield and Mayfield East?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mayfield costs a cumulative $88,662 and Mayfield East costs $85,842 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,820 in favour of Mayfield East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mayfield and Mayfield East 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.