Booragul vs Marmong Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Booragul and Marmong Point are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 106 km and 105.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Booragul runs $700 a year cheaper than Marmong Point, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,024.
Over 10 years, Booragul costs about $8,000 less to run than Marmong Point — the same as paying $8,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Booragul
Marmong Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Booragul | Marmong Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,500 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,540 | $24,240 | -$700 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,340 | $9,040 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Booragul | Marmong Point | 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 — Booragul vs Marmong Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Booragul costs $700 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,024 in favour of Booragul.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Marmong Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $8,340 from Booragul versus $9,040 from Marmong Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Booragul cumulative | Marmong Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,540 | $24,240 | $700 |
| Year 3 | $72,760 | $74,923 | $2,163 |
| Year 5 | $124,977 | $128,693 | $3,716 |
| Year 10 | $269,860 | $277,884 | $8,024 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Booragul or Marmong Point cheaper to live in?
Booragul is cheaper to run by car at $23,540 per year versus $24,240 for Marmong Point, a difference of $700 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Booragul and Marmong Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Booragul (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Marmong Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Booragul and $1,377 in Marmong 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 Booragul and Marmong Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Booragul and $17,600 from Marmong Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Booragul and $2,400 from Marmong Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Booragul and Marmong Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Booragul costs a cumulative $269,860 and Marmong Point costs $277,884 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,024 in favour of Booragul. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Booragul and Marmong 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.
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.