Blacksmiths vs Marks Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blacksmiths and Marks Point are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 97.3 km and 99.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $221 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 →Blacksmiths
Marks Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacksmiths | Marks Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,250 | $4,329 | -$79 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,490 | $10,269 | +$221 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,640 | $8,340 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blacksmiths | Marks Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Blacksmiths vs Marks Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blacksmiths and Marks Point cost within $221 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,533, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Blacksmiths carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,640 from Blacksmiths versus $8,340 from Marks Point.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Blacksmiths by $79 a year, $4,250 against $4,329.
- Building insurance favours Marks Point by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Blacksmiths against low in Marks Point, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.1 in Blacksmiths against 4.4 in Marks Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blacksmiths cumulative | Marks Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,490 | $10,269 | $221 |
| Year 3 | $32,424 | $31,740 | $684 |
| Year 5 | $55,693 | $54,520 | $1,173 |
| Year 10 | $120,256 | $117,723 | $2,533 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacksmiths or Marks Point cheaper to live in?
Marks Point is cheaper to run by car at $10,269 per year versus $10,490 for Blacksmiths, a difference of $221 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blacksmiths and Marks Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Blacksmiths (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Marks Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Blacksmiths and $1,377 in Marks 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 Blacksmiths and Marks Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,250 from Blacksmiths and $4,329 from Marks Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blacksmiths and $2,400 from Marks Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blacksmiths and Marks Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blacksmiths costs a cumulative $120,256 and Marks Point costs $117,723 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,533 in favour of Marks Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacksmiths and Marks 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.
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.