Blackmans Point vs Riverside: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blackmans Point and Riverside are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 314.9 km and 315.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Blackmans Point runs $400 a year cheaper than Riverside, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Blackmans Point
Riverside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blackmans Point | Riverside | 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 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,370 | $23,770 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,170 | $8,570 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blackmans Point | Riverside | 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 — Blackmans Point vs Riverside (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blackmans Point costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Blackmans Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Riverside carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,170 from Blackmans Point versus $8,570 from Riverside.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blackmans Point cumulative | Riverside cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,370 | $23,770 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,234 | $73,471 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $124,075 | $126,198 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $267,911 | $272,496 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackmans Point or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Blackmans Point is cheaper to run by car at $23,370 per year versus $23,770 for Riverside, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blackmans Point and Riverside?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Blackmans Point (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Riverside (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Blackmans Point and $1,300 in Riverside. 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 Blackmans Point and Riverside?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Blackmans Point and $17,600 from Riverside to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blackmans Point and $2,400 from Riverside.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blackmans Point and Riverside?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blackmans Point costs a cumulative $267,911 and Riverside costs $272,496 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Blackmans Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blackmans Point and Riverside 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.