Booragul vs Speers 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 Speers Point are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 106 km and 107.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Booragul
Speers Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Booragul | Speers 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 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,540 | $23,540 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,340 | $8,340 | - |
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 | Speers 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 Speers Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Booragul and Speers Point cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,340 and $8,340 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Booragul cumulative | Speers Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,540 | $23,540 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,760 | $72,760 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,977 | $124,977 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $269,860 | $269,860 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Booragul or Speers Point cheaper to live in?
Booragul is cheaper to run by car at $23,540 per year versus $23,540 for Speers Point, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Booragul and Speers Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Booragul (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Speers Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Booragul and $1,377 in Speers 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 Speers Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Booragul and $17,600 from Speers Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Booragul and $2,400 from Speers Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Booragul and Speers Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Booragul costs a cumulative $269,860 and Speers Point costs $269,860 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Booragul. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Booragul and Speers 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.