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Map of Adamstown
5.4 km from Newcastle CBD
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True annual cost of living in Adamstown, NSW 2289

Living in a house in Adamstown costs about $6,595 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Adamstown sits 5.4 kilometres from Newcastle CBD. Unit costs reach $7,355, with the $1,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $640 per year at this distance.

Last updated July 2026 · Newcastle Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 97% of Newcastle suburbs, about 7% below the regional average.
Council rates is the biggest expense at $1,858, roughly 28% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $640 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$6,595
Driving · per year
$550/month
About $127 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Unit annual cost
$7,355
Incl. body corporate
$613/month
About $141 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
+$760
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Newcastle rates
$1,858
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Hunter Water
$1,377
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 5.4km from Newcastle CBD · 192 days
$1,760
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire Medium
$1,600
Total annual running cost
$6,595
($550/month, $127/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below.

↓ 7% below Newcastle average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.2/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 97% of Newcastle suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,342/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,909/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Adamstown's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Adamstown

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Adamstown, 708 m away, about a 9 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Lingard Private Hospital, 2,887 m away, about a 36 minute walk.
Supermarkets
6
Cafes
17
Parks
31
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

Compare Adamstown with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Adamstown

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Adamstown to Newcastle CBD?

Driving saves Adamstown residents $640 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,760 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Adamstown?

Adamstown falls under Newcastle Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,858 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,858 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Adamstown?

Running a unit in Adamstown costs approximately $7,355 per year by car or $7,995 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,858, water and sewerage $1,377, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $560. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Adamstown close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Adamstown is Adamstown, a train stop about 708 m away, about a 9 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Adamstown?

The closest hospital to the centre of Adamstown is Lingard Private Hospital, about 2,887 m away, about a 36 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Adamstown?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Adamstown there are 6 supermarkets, 17 cafes and 31 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Newcastle rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Hunter Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data last verified September 2026.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.