Grants Beach vs Laurieton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Grants Beach and Laurieton are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.4 km and 25.2 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 $46 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.
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Laurieton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Grants Beach | Laurieton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,636 | $6,032 | -$396 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,636 | $6,032 | -$396 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,100 | $2,750 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,406 | $11,452 | -$46 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,406 | $11,452 | -$46 |
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 | Grants Beach | Laurieton | 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, Grants Beach vs Laurieton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Grants Beach and Laurieton cost within $46 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $527, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $396 per year. Laurieton is 25.2 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, $11,406 and $11,452 a year, so the $46 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 Grants Beach by $396 a year, $5,636 against $6,032.
- Building insurance favours Laurieton by $350 a year, $2,750 against $3,100.
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 Grants Beach against medium in Laurieton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Grants Beach cumulative | Laurieton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,406 | $11,452 | $46 |
| Year 3 | $35,255 | $35,397 | $142 |
| Year 5 | $60,556 | $60,800 | $244 |
| Year 10 | $130,757 | $131,284 | $527 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grants Beach or Laurieton cheaper to live in?
Grants Beach is cheaper to run by car at $11,406 per year versus $11,452 for Laurieton, a difference of $46 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Grants Beach and Laurieton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Grants Beach (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Laurieton (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Grants Beach and $1,300 in Laurieton. 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 Grants Beach and Laurieton?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,636 from Grants Beach and $6,032 from Laurieton to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Grants Beach and Laurieton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Grants Beach costs a cumulative $130,757 and Laurieton costs $131,284 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $527 in favour of Grants Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Grants Beach and Laurieton suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.