Moonan Flat vs Omadale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Moonan Flat and Omadale are both Upper Hunter rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 221.3 km and 222.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Moonan Flat
Omadale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Moonan Flat | Omadale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,002 | $1,002 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,902 | $21,902 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $6,702 | $6,702 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Moonan Flat | Omadale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Moonan Flat vs Omadale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Moonan Flat and Omadale cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,702 and $6,702 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Moonan Flat cumulative | Omadale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,902 | $21,902 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $67,697 | $67,697 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $116,281 | $116,281 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $251,082 | $251,082 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moonan Flat or Omadale cheaper to live in?
Moonan Flat is cheaper to run by car at $21,902 per year versus $21,902 for Omadale, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Moonan Flat and Omadale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,002 in Moonan Flat (Upper Hunter rates (OLG) and $1,002 in Omadale (Upper Hunter rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Moonan Flat and $1,300 in Omadale. 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 Moonan Flat and Omadale?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Moonan Flat and $17,600 from Omadale to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Moonan Flat and $2,400 from Omadale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Moonan Flat and Omadale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Moonan Flat costs a cumulative $251,082 and Omadale costs $251,082 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Moonan Flat. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Moonan Flat and Omadale 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: Upper Hunter rates (OLG and Upper Hunter 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.