Coffs Harbour vs Port 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
Coffs Harbour (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG) and Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $39 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 →Coffs Harbour
Port Macquarie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coffs Harbour | Port Macquarie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,490 | $1,370 | +$120 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $715 | $846 | -$131 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $715 | $846 | -$131 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,800 | $2,750 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,305 | $6,266 | +$39 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,305 | $6,266 | +$39 |
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 | Coffs Harbour | Port Macquarie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,827 | -$53 |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,369 | -$40 |
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, Coffs Harbour vs Port Macquarie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie cost within $39 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $447, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $131 per year. Port Macquarie is 2.5 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,305 and $6,266 a year, so the $39 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Port Macquarie by $120 a year, $1,370 against $1,490.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Coffs Harbour by $131 a year, $715 against $846.
- Building insurance favours Port Macquarie by $50 a year, $2,750 against $2,800.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
The catchment state school scores 6.5 in Port Macquarie against 3.4 in Coffs Harbour, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coffs Harbour cumulative | Port Macquarie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,305 | $6,266 | $39 |
| Year 3 | $19,488 | $19,368 | $120 |
| Year 5 | $33,474 | $33,267 | $207 |
| Year 10 | $72,280 | $71,833 | $447 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie cheaper to live in?
Port Macquarie is cheaper to run by car at $6,266 per year versus $6,305 for Coffs Harbour, a difference of $39 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,490 in Coffs Harbour (Coffs Harbour rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Coffs Harbour and $1,300 in Port 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 Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie?
Coffs Harbour is $715 a year to drive to Coffs Harbour CBD (ATO 91c/km). Port Macquarie is $846 a year to drive to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coffs Harbour costs a cumulative $72,280 and Port Macquarie costs $71,833 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $447 in favour of Port Macquarie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coffs Harbour and Port 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: Coffs Harbour rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.