Bonnells Bay vs Morisset: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonnells Bay and Morisset are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 89.8 km and 87.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bonnells Bay runs $313 a year cheaper than Morisset, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,588.
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 →Bonnells Bay
Morisset
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnells Bay | Morisset | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,922 | $3,835 | +$87 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,162 | $10,475 | -$313 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,640 | $9,040 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bonnells Bay | Morisset | 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 — Bonnells Bay vs Morisset (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnells Bay costs $313 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,588 in favour of Bonnells Bay.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Morisset carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,640 from Bonnells Bay versus $9,040 from Morisset.
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 Morisset by $87 a year, $3,835 against $3,922.
- Building insurance favours Bonnells Bay by $400 a year, $3,100 against $3,500.
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 high in Morisset against medium in Bonnells Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnells Bay cumulative | Morisset cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,162 | $10,475 | $313 |
| Year 3 | $31,410 | $32,377 | $967 |
| Year 5 | $53,951 | $55,613 | $1,662 |
| Year 10 | $116,496 | $120,084 | $3,588 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnells Bay or Morisset cheaper to live in?
Bonnells Bay is cheaper to run by car at $10,162 per year versus $10,475 for Morisset, a difference of $313 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnells Bay and Morisset?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Bonnells Bay (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Morisset (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Bonnells Bay and $1,377 in Morisset. 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 Bonnells Bay and Morisset?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,922 from Bonnells Bay and $3,835 from Morisset to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonnells Bay and $2,400 from Morisset.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnells Bay and Morisset?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnells Bay costs a cumulative $116,496 and Morisset costs $120,084 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,588 in favour of Bonnells Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnells Bay and Morisset 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.