Frazers Creek vs Mortons Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Frazers Creek and Mortons Creek are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 25 km and 22.5 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mortons Creek runs $355 a year cheaper than Frazers Creek, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,070.
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 →Frazers Creek
Mortons Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Frazers Creek | Mortons Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,006 | $5,651 | +$355 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,076 | $10,721 | +$355 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,470 | $7,470 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Frazers Creek | Mortons Creek | 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 — Frazers Creek vs Mortons Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mortons Creek costs $355 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,070 in favour of Mortons Creek.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $355 per year. Frazers Creek is 25 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,470 and $7,470 a year, so the $355 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Mortons Creek by $355 a year, $5,651 against $6,006.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,400 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Frazers Creek cumulative | Mortons Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,076 | $10,721 | $355 |
| Year 3 | $34,235 | $33,138 | $1,097 |
| Year 5 | $58,804 | $56,919 | $1,885 |
| Year 10 | $126,974 | $122,904 | $4,070 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frazers Creek or Mortons Creek cheaper to live in?
Mortons Creek is cheaper to run by car at $10,721 per year versus $11,076 for Frazers Creek, a difference of $355 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Frazers Creek and Mortons Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Frazers Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Mortons Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Frazers Creek and $1,300 in Mortons Creek. 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 Frazers Creek and Mortons Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,006 from Frazers Creek and $5,651 from Mortons Creek to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Frazers Creek and $2,400 from Mortons Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Frazers Creek and Mortons Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Frazers Creek costs a cumulative $126,974 and Mortons Creek costs $122,904 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,070 in favour of Mortons Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Frazers Creek and Mortons Creek 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.