Mirrabooka vs Silverwater: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mirrabooka and Silverwater are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 89.7 km and 91.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mirrabooka runs $1,122 a year cheaper than Silverwater, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,862.
Over 10 years, Mirrabooka costs about $12,900 less to run than Silverwater — the same as paying $12,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Mirrabooka
Silverwater
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mirrabooka | Silverwater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,789 | $3,861 | -$72 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $3,500 | -$1,050 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,379 | $10,501 | -$1,122 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,990 | $9,040 | -$1,050 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mirrabooka | Silverwater | 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 — Mirrabooka vs Silverwater (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mirrabooka costs $1,122 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,862 in favour of Mirrabooka.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,050 per year. Silverwater carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,050 per year, $7,990 from Mirrabooka versus $9,040 from Silverwater.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mirrabooka cumulative | Silverwater cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,379 | $10,501 | $1,122 |
| Year 3 | $28,990 | $32,458 | $3,468 |
| Year 5 | $49,794 | $55,751 | $5,957 |
| Year 10 | $107,520 | $120,382 | $12,862 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mirrabooka or Silverwater cheaper to live in?
Mirrabooka is cheaper to run by car at $9,379 per year versus $10,501 for Silverwater, a difference of $1,122 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mirrabooka and Silverwater?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Mirrabooka (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Silverwater (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Mirrabooka and $1,377 in Silverwater. 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 Mirrabooka and Silverwater?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,789 from Mirrabooka and $3,861 from Silverwater to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mirrabooka and $2,400 from Silverwater.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mirrabooka and Silverwater?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mirrabooka costs a cumulative $107,520 and Silverwater costs $120,382 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,862 in favour of Mirrabooka. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mirrabooka and Silverwater 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.