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.
The two sit within $163 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 the gap between these two is about $1,900, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Morisset
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnells Bay | Morisset | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,922 | $3,835 | +$87 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,250 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,062 | $9,225 | -$163 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,540 | $7,790 | -$250 |
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 | 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 and Morisset differ by $163 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $87, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Morisset carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,540 from Bonnells Bay versus $7,790 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 $250 a year, $2,000 against $2,250.
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 | $9,062 | $9,225 | $163 |
| Year 3 | $28,010 | $28,514 | $504 |
| Year 5 | $48,111 | $48,977 | $866 |
| Year 10 | $103,886 | $105,754 | $1,868 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnells Bay or Morisset cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bonnells Bay runs $9,062 a year by car and Morisset $9,225, but most of the $163 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $87. 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 $103,886 and Morisset costs $105,754 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,868 in favour of Bonnells Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnells Bay and Morisset 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.