Carey Bay vs Coal 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
Carey Bay and Coal Point are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 100.8 km and 99.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Coal Point runs $13,397 a year cheaper than Carey Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $153,582.
Over 10 years, Coal Point costs about $153,600 less to run than Carey Bay — the same as paying $153,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Coal Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carey Bay | Coal Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $4,203 | +$13,397 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,540 | $10,143 | +$13,397 |
| 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 | Carey Bay | Coal 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 — Carey Bay vs Coal Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coal Point costs $13,397 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $153,582 in favour of Coal Point.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $13,397 per year. Carey Bay is 100.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,340 and $8,340 a year, so the $13,397 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carey Bay cumulative | Coal Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,540 | $10,143 | $13,397 |
| Year 3 | $72,760 | $31,351 | $41,409 |
| Year 5 | $124,977 | $53,851 | $71,126 |
| Year 10 | $269,860 | $116,278 | $153,582 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carey Bay or Coal Point cheaper to live in?
Coal Point is cheaper to run by car at $10,143 per year versus $23,540 for Carey Bay, a difference of $13,397 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carey Bay and Coal Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Carey Bay (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Coal Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Carey Bay and $1,377 in Coal 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 Carey Bay and Coal Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Carey Bay and $4,203 from Coal Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Carey Bay and $2,400 from Coal Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carey Bay and Coal Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carey Bay costs a cumulative $269,860 and Coal Point costs $116,278 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $153,582 in favour of Coal Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carey Bay and Coal Point is best to actually live in?
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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.