Belmont South vs Pelican: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Belmont South and Pelican are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 99.9 km and 97.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $102 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 →Belmont South
Pelican
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belmont South | Pelican | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,220 | $4,118 | +$102 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,460 | $10,358 | +$102 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,640 | $8,640 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Belmont South | Pelican | 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 — Belmont South vs Pelican (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belmont South and Pelican cost within $102 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,169, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $102 per year. Belmont South is 99.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,640 and $8,640 a year, so the $102 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Belmont South cumulative | Pelican cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,460 | $10,358 | $102 |
| Year 3 | $32,331 | $32,016 | $315 |
| Year 5 | $55,534 | $54,992 | $542 |
| Year 10 | $119,912 | $118,743 | $1,169 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belmont South or Pelican cheaper to live in?
Pelican is cheaper to run by car at $10,358 per year versus $10,460 for Belmont South, a difference of $102 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belmont South and Pelican?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Belmont South (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Pelican (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Belmont South and $1,377 in Pelican. 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 Belmont South and Pelican?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,220 from Belmont South and $4,118 from Pelican to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Belmont South and $2,400 from Pelican.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belmont South and Pelican?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belmont South costs a cumulative $119,912 and Pelican costs $118,743 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,169 in favour of Pelican. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belmont South and Pelican 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.