Blacksmiths vs Pelican, 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 Pelican are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 97.3 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 $8 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.
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Pelican
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blacksmiths | Pelican | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,250 | $4,258 | -$8 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $2,050 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,440 | $9,448 | -$8 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,590 | $7,590 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blacksmiths | Pelican | 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 Pelican (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blacksmiths and Pelican cost within $8 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $92, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $8 per year. Pelican is 97.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,590 and $7,590 a year, so the $8 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $8 a year, $4,250 against $4,258.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,050 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blacksmiths cumulative | Pelican cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,440 | $9,448 | $8 |
| Year 3 | $29,178 | $29,203 | $25 |
| Year 5 | $50,118 | $50,161 | $43 |
| Year 10 | $108,219 | $108,311 | $92 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blacksmiths or Pelican cheaper to live in?
Blacksmiths is cheaper to run by car at $9,440 per year versus $9,448 for Pelican, a difference of $8 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blacksmiths and Pelican?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Blacksmiths (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Pelican (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Blacksmiths 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 Blacksmiths and Pelican?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,250 from Blacksmiths and $4,258 from Pelican to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blacksmiths and $2,400 from Pelican.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blacksmiths and Pelican?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blacksmiths costs a cumulative $108,219 and Pelican costs $108,311 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $92 in favour of Blacksmiths. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blacksmiths and Pelican suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.