Fennell Bay vs Woodrising: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fennell Bay and Woodrising are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 103.9 km and 105.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 →Fennell Bay
Woodrising
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fennell Bay | Woodrising | 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 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,590 | $23,840 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $8,640 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fennell Bay | Woodrising | 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 — Fennell Bay vs Woodrising (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fennell Bay and Woodrising cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Woodrising carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,390 from Fennell Bay versus $8,640 from Woodrising.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fennell Bay cumulative | Woodrising cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,590 | $23,840 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $72,914 | $73,687 | $773 |
| Year 5 | $125,243 | $126,570 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $270,433 | $273,299 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fennell Bay or Woodrising cheaper to live in?
Fennell Bay is cheaper to run by car at $23,590 per year versus $23,840 for Woodrising, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fennell Bay and Woodrising?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Fennell Bay (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Woodrising (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Fennell Bay and $1,377 in Woodrising. 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 Fennell Bay and Woodrising?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Fennell Bay and $17,600 from Woodrising to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fennell Bay and $2,400 from Woodrising.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fennell Bay and Woodrising?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fennell Bay costs a cumulative $270,433 and Woodrising costs $273,299 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Fennell Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fennell Bay and Woodrising 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.