Blackalls Park vs Fassifern: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blackalls Park and Fassifern are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 102.9 km and 103.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 →Blackalls Park
Fassifern
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blackalls Park | Fassifern | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,850 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,840 | $23,590 | +$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,640 | $8,390 | +$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blackalls Park | Fassifern | 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 — Blackalls Park vs Fassifern (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blackalls Park and Fassifern cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Blackalls Park carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,640 from Blackalls Park versus $8,390 from Fassifern.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blackalls Park cumulative | Fassifern cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,840 | $23,590 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $73,687 | $72,914 | $773 |
| Year 5 | $126,570 | $125,243 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $273,299 | $270,433 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackalls Park or Fassifern cheaper to live in?
Fassifern is cheaper to run by car at $23,590 per year versus $23,840 for Blackalls Park, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blackalls Park and Fassifern?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Blackalls Park (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Fassifern (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Blackalls Park and $1,377 in Fassifern. 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 Blackalls Park and Fassifern?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Blackalls Park and $17,600 from Fassifern to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blackalls Park and $2,400 from Fassifern.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blackalls Park and Fassifern?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blackalls Park costs a cumulative $273,299 and Fassifern costs $270,433 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Fassifern. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blackalls Park and Fassifern 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.