Fassifern vs Fennell Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fassifern and Fennell Bay are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.6 km and 18.4 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $220 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 →Fassifern
Fennell Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fassifern | Fennell Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,171 | $4,951 | +$220 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,161 | $10,941 | +$220 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $8,390 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fassifern | Fennell Bay | 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 — Fassifern vs Fennell Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fassifern and Fennell Bay cost within $220 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,522, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $220 per year. Fassifern is 19.6 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,390 and $8,390 a year, so the $220 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 Fennell Bay by $220 a year, $4,951 against $5,171.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,850 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 4.7 in Fassifern against 3.2 in Fennell Bay, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fassifern cumulative | Fennell Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,161 | $10,941 | $220 |
| Year 3 | $34,498 | $33,818 | $680 |
| Year 5 | $59,255 | $58,087 | $1,168 |
| Year 10 | $127,948 | $125,426 | $2,522 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fassifern or Fennell Bay cheaper to live in?
Fennell Bay is cheaper to run by car at $10,941 per year versus $11,161 for Fassifern, a difference of $220 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fassifern and Fennell Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Fassifern (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Fennell Bay (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Fassifern and $1,377 in Fennell Bay. 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 Fassifern and Fennell Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,171 from Fassifern and $4,951 from Fennell Bay to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fassifern and $2,400 from Fennell Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fassifern and Fennell Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fassifern costs a cumulative $127,948 and Fennell Bay costs $125,426 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,522 in favour of Fennell Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fassifern and Fennell Bay 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.