Mount Dee vs Telarah: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Dee and Telarah are both Maitland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 30.6 km and 31.5 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $230 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 →Mount Dee
Telarah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Dee | Telarah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,970 | $1,970 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,603 | $6,673 | -$70 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,050 | $12,820 | +$230 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,847 | $8,547 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Dee | Telarah | 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 — Mount Dee vs Telarah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Dee and Telarah cost within $230 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,637, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Mount Dee carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,847 from Mount Dee versus $8,547 from Telarah.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,970 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Dee by $70 a year, $6,603 against $6,673.
- Building insurance favours Telarah by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Mount Dee against low in Telarah, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 4.1 in Mount Dee against 3 in Telarah, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Dee cumulative | Telarah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,050 | $12,820 | $230 |
| Year 3 | $40,336 | $39,625 | $711 |
| Year 5 | $69,284 | $68,063 | $1,221 |
| Year 10 | $149,604 | $146,967 | $2,637 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Dee or Telarah cheaper to live in?
Telarah is cheaper to run by car at $12,820 per year versus $13,050 for Mount Dee, a difference of $230 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Dee and Telarah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Mount Dee (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Telarah (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Mount Dee and $1,377 in Telarah. 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 Mount Dee and Telarah?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,603 from Mount Dee and $6,673 from Telarah to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Dee and $2,400 from Telarah.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Dee and Telarah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Dee costs a cumulative $149,604 and Telarah costs $146,967 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,637 in favour of Telarah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Dee and Telarah 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.
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Sources: Maitland rates (OLG and Maitland 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.