Beechwood vs Mortons Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beechwood and Mortons Creek are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 303.2 km and 307.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mortons Creek runs $700 a year cheaper than Beechwood, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,025.
Over 10 years, Mortons Creek costs about $8,000 less to run than Beechwood — the same as paying $8,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mortons Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beechwood | Mortons Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,400 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,370 | $22,670 | +$700 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,170 | $7,470 | +$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 | Beechwood | Mortons Creek | 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 — Beechwood vs Mortons Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mortons Creek costs $700 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,025 in favour of Mortons Creek.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Beechwood carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $8,170 from Beechwood versus $7,470 from Mortons Creek.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beechwood cumulative | Mortons Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,370 | $22,670 | $700 |
| Year 3 | $72,234 | $70,071 | $2,163 |
| Year 5 | $124,075 | $120,358 | $3,717 |
| Year 10 | $267,911 | $259,886 | $8,025 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beechwood or Mortons Creek cheaper to live in?
Mortons Creek is cheaper to run by car at $22,670 per year versus $23,370 for Beechwood, a difference of $700 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beechwood and Mortons Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Beechwood (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Mortons Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Beechwood and $1,300 in Mortons Creek. 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 Beechwood and Mortons Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Beechwood and $17,600 from Mortons Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Beechwood and $2,400 from Mortons Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beechwood and Mortons Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beechwood costs a cumulative $267,911 and Mortons Creek costs $259,886 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,025 in favour of Mortons Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beechwood and Mortons Creek 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: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.