Fassifern vs Wakefield: 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 Wakefield are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 103.6 km and 105.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wakefield runs $450 a year cheaper than Fassifern, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,590 | $23,140 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $7,940 | +$450 |
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 | Wakefield | 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 Wakefield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wakefield costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Wakefield.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fassifern cumulative | Wakefield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,590 | $23,140 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $72,914 | $71,523 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $125,243 | $122,853 | $2,390 |
| Year 10 | $270,433 | $265,274 | $5,159 |
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 $23,140 per year versus $23,590 for Fassifern, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Fassifern and $17,600 from Wakefield to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $270,433 and Wakefield costs $265,274 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.