Coal Point vs Fishing Point, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coal Point and Fishing Point are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 99.5 km and 97.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $92 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.
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Fishing Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coal Point | Fishing Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,346 | $4,254 | +$92 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,286 | $9,194 | +$92 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,340 | $7,340 | - |
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 | Coal Point | Fishing Point | 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, Coal Point vs Fishing Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coal Point and Fishing Point cost within $92 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,055, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $92 per year. Coal Point is 99.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,340 and $7,340 a year, so the $92 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 Fishing Point by $92 a year, $4,254 against $4,346.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,800 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.6 in Coal Point against 5.9 in Fishing Point, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coal Point cumulative | Fishing Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,286 | $9,194 | $92 |
| Year 3 | $28,702 | $28,418 | $284 |
| Year 5 | $49,301 | $48,812 | $489 |
| Year 10 | $106,454 | $105,399 | $1,055 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coal Point or Fishing Point cheaper to live in?
Fishing Point is cheaper to run by car at $9,194 per year versus $9,286 for Coal Point, a difference of $92 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coal Point and Fishing Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Coal Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Fishing Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Coal Point and $1,377 in Fishing 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 Coal Point and Fishing Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,346 from Coal Point and $4,254 from Fishing Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Coal Point and $2,400 from Fishing Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coal Point and Fishing Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coal Point costs a cumulative $106,454 and Fishing Point costs $105,399 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,055 in favour of Fishing Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coal Point and Fishing Point 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.
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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.