Fassifern vs Wakefield: 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 Wakefield are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 19.6 km and 21.4 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $143 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
Wakefield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fassifern | Wakefield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,171 | $5,478 | -$307 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,161 | $11,018 | +$143 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $7,940 | +$450 |
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 | Wakefield | 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 Wakefield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fassifern and Wakefield cost within $143 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,639, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Fassifern carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,390 from Fassifern versus $7,940 from Wakefield.
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 Fassifern by $307 a year, $5,171 against $5,478.
- Building insurance favours Wakefield by $450 a year, $2,400 against $2,850.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Fassifern against low in Wakefield, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fassifern cumulative | Wakefield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,161 | $11,018 | $143 |
| Year 3 | $34,498 | $34,056 | $442 |
| Year 5 | $59,255 | $58,496 | $759 |
| Year 10 | $127,948 | $126,309 | $1,639 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fassifern or Wakefield cheaper to live in?
Wakefield is cheaper to run by car at $11,018 per year versus $11,161 for Fassifern, a difference of $143 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fassifern and Wakefield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Fassifern (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Wakefield (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Fassifern and $1,377 in Wakefield. 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 Wakefield?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,171 from Fassifern and $5,478 from Wakefield to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fassifern and $2,400 from Wakefield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fassifern and Wakefield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fassifern costs a cumulative $127,948 and Wakefield costs $126,309 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,639 in favour of Wakefield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fassifern and Wakefield 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.