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 $7 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Fassifern
Wakefield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fassifern | Wakefield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,171 | $5,478 | -$307 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,550 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,161 | $10,168 | -$7 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,390 | $7,090 | +$300 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; 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 $7 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $81, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $307 per year. Wakefield is 21.4 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,390 from Fassifern versus $7,090 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 $300 a year, $1,550 against $1,850.
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 | $10,161 | $10,168 | $7 |
| Year 3 | $31,407 | $31,428 | $21 |
| Year 5 | $53,946 | $53,983 | $37 |
| Year 10 | $116,484 | $116,565 | $81 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fassifern or Wakefield cheaper to live in?
Fassifern is cheaper to run by car at $10,161 per year versus $10,168 for Wakefield, a difference of $7 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 $116,484 and Wakefield costs $116,565 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $81 in favour of Fassifern. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fassifern and Wakefield suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.