Living in a house in Waratah costs about $7,324 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Waratah sits 6.0 kilometres from Newcastle CBD. Unit costs reach $7,464, with the $1,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. Switching from driving to public transport saves $461 per year at this distance.
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○6.4/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 66% 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 Waratah'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 Waratah
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Waratah, 812 m away, about a 10 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Newcastle Eye Hospital, 736 m away, about a 9 minute walk.
Supermarkets
5
Cafes
22
Parks
34
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. 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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Waratah to Newcastle CBD?
Driving saves Waratah residents $461 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,939 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.
What are the council rates in Waratah?
Waratah 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 Waratah?
Running a unit in Waratah costs approximately $7,464 per year by car or $7,925 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 $490. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Waratah close to public transport?
The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Waratah is Waratah, a train stop about 812 m away, about a 10 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 Waratah?
The closest hospital to the centre of Waratah is Newcastle Eye Hospital, about 736 m away, about a 9 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 Waratah?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Waratah there are 5 supermarkets, 22 cafes and 34 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: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.