Fernbank Creek vs Riverside: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fernbank Creek and Riverside are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.3 km and 4.6 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $113 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 →Fernbank Creek
Riverside
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fernbank Creek | Riverside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,028 | $1,515 | +$513 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,798 | $7,685 | +$113 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,170 | $8,570 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fernbank Creek | Riverside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Fernbank Creek vs Riverside (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fernbank Creek and Riverside cost within $113 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,295, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $513 per year. Fernbank Creek is 6.3 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,170 from Fernbank Creek versus $8,570 from Riverside.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Riverside by $513 a year, $1,515 against $2,028.
- Building insurance favours Fernbank Creek by $400 a year, $3,100 against $3,500.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Riverside against medium in Fernbank Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fernbank Creek cumulative | Riverside cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,798 | $7,685 | $113 |
| Year 3 | $24,103 | $23,754 | $349 |
| Year 5 | $41,401 | $40,801 | $600 |
| Year 10 | $89,395 | $88,100 | $1,295 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fernbank Creek or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Riverside is cheaper to run by car at $7,685 per year versus $7,798 for Fernbank Creek, a difference of $113 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fernbank Creek and Riverside?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Fernbank Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Riverside (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fernbank Creek and $1,300 in Riverside. 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 Fernbank Creek and Riverside?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,028 from Fernbank Creek and $1,515 from Riverside to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fernbank Creek and $2,400 from Riverside.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fernbank Creek and Riverside?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fernbank Creek costs a cumulative $89,395 and Riverside costs $88,100 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,295 in favour of Riverside. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fernbank Creek and Riverside 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: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.