Balmoral vs Fishing Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Balmoral and Fishing Point are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 97.7 km and 97.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fishing Point runs $713 a year cheaper than Balmoral, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,174.
Over 10 years, Fishing Point costs about $8,200 less to run than Balmoral — the same as paying $8,200 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 →Balmoral
Fishing Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balmoral | Fishing Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,127 | $4,114 | +$13 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $2,800 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,767 | $10,054 | +$713 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,040 | $8,340 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Balmoral | Fishing Point | 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 — Balmoral vs Fishing Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fishing Point costs $713 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,174 in favour of Fishing Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Balmoral carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $9,040 from Balmoral versus $8,340 from Fishing Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balmoral cumulative | Fishing Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,767 | $10,054 | $713 |
| Year 3 | $33,280 | $31,076 | $2,204 |
| Year 5 | $57,163 | $53,378 | $3,785 |
| Year 10 | $123,432 | $115,258 | $8,174 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balmoral or Fishing Point cheaper to live in?
Fishing Point is cheaper to run by car at $10,054 per year versus $10,767 for Balmoral, a difference of $713 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balmoral and Fishing Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Balmoral (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Fishing Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Balmoral and $1,377 in Fishing Point. 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 Balmoral and Fishing Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,127 from Balmoral and $4,114 from Fishing Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Balmoral and $2,400 from Fishing Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balmoral and Fishing Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balmoral costs a cumulative $123,432 and Fishing Point costs $115,258 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,174 in favour of Fishing Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balmoral and Fishing Point 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.