Buttaba vs Lake Macquarie, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Buttaba and Lake Macquarie are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 97.1 km and 96.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $64 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Buttaba
Lake Macquarie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Buttaba | Lake Macquarie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,242 | $4,228 | +$14 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,800 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,232 | $9,168 | +$64 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,390 | $7,340 | +$50 |
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 | Buttaba | Lake Macquarie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,292 | +$50 |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,871 | +$38 |
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, Buttaba vs Lake Macquarie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Buttaba and Lake Macquarie cost within $64 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $734, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Buttaba carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,390 and $7,340 a year, so the $64 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 Lake Macquarie by $14 a year, $4,228 against $4,242.
- Building insurance favours Lake Macquarie by $50 a year, $1,800 against $1,850.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Lake Macquarie against medium in Buttaba, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Buttaba against low in Lake Macquarie, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Buttaba cumulative | Lake Macquarie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,232 | $9,168 | $64 |
| Year 3 | $28,535 | $28,337 | $198 |
| Year 5 | $49,014 | $48,674 | $340 |
| Year 10 | $105,835 | $105,101 | $734 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buttaba or Lake Macquarie cheaper to live in?
Lake Macquarie is cheaper to run by car at $9,168 per year versus $9,232 for Buttaba, a difference of $64 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Buttaba and Lake Macquarie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Buttaba (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Lake Macquarie (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Buttaba and $1,377 in Lake Macquarie. 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 Buttaba and Lake Macquarie?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,242 from Buttaba and $4,228 from Lake Macquarie to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Buttaba and $2,400 from Lake Macquarie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Buttaba and Lake Macquarie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Buttaba costs a cumulative $105,835 and Lake Macquarie costs $105,101 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $734 in favour of Lake Macquarie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Buttaba and Lake Macquarie suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.