Crosslands vs Wauchope: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Crosslands and Wauchope are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18 km and 17 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $203 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. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Crosslands
Wauchope
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Crosslands | Wauchope | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,875 | $4,678 | +$197 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,645 | $10,848 | -$203 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,170 | $8,570 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Crosslands | Wauchope | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Crosslands vs Wauchope (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Crosslands and Wauchope cost within $203 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,327, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Wauchope carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,170 from Crosslands versus $8,570 from Wauchope.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wauchope by $197 a year, $4,678 against $4,875.
- Building insurance favours Crosslands by $400 a year, $3,100 against $3,500.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Wauchope against medium in Crosslands, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Crosslands cumulative | Wauchope cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,645 | $10,848 | $203 |
| Year 3 | $32,903 | $33,530 | $627 |
| Year 5 | $56,516 | $57,594 | $1,078 |
| Year 10 | $122,033 | $124,360 | $2,327 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crosslands or Wauchope cheaper to live in?
Crosslands is cheaper to run by car at $10,645 per year versus $10,848 for Wauchope, a difference of $203 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Crosslands and Wauchope?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Crosslands (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Wauchope (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Crosslands and $1,300 in Wauchope. 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 Crosslands and Wauchope?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,875 from Crosslands and $4,678 from Wauchope to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Crosslands and $2,400 from Wauchope.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Crosslands and Wauchope?
At 3% annual cost growth, Crosslands costs a cumulative $122,033 and Wauchope costs $124,360 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,327 in favour of Crosslands. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Crosslands and Wauchope 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Port Macquarie-Hastings 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.