Fassifern vs Fennell Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fassifern and Fennell Bay are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 103.6 km and 103.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
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) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,590 | $23,590 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $8,390 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fassifern | Fennell Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $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 — Fassifern vs Fennell Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fassifern and Fennell Bay cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,390 and $8,390 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fassifern cumulative | Fennell Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,590 | $23,590 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,914 | $72,914 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $125,243 | $125,243 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $270,433 | $270,433 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fassifern or Fennell Bay cheaper to live in?
Fassifern is cheaper to run by car at $23,590 per year versus $23,590 for Fennell Bay, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Fassifern and $17,600 from Fennell Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $270,433 and Fennell Bay costs $270,433 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Fassifern. 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.