Jolly Nose vs West Haven, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Jolly Nose and West Haven are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.5 km and 25 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 $5 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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West Haven
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jolly Nose | West Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,651 | $6,006 | -$355 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,651 | $6,006 | -$355 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,100 | $2,750 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,421 | $11,426 | -$5 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,421 | $11,426 | -$5 |
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 | Jolly Nose | West Haven | 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, Jolly Nose vs West Haven (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jolly Nose and West Haven cost within $5 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $57, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $355 per year. West Haven 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, $11,421 and $11,426 a year, so the $5 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 Jolly Nose by $355 a year, $5,651 against $6,006.
- Building insurance favours West Haven 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 Jolly Nose against medium in West Haven, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jolly Nose cumulative | West Haven cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,421 | $11,426 | $5 |
| Year 3 | $35,301 | $35,317 | $16 |
| Year 5 | $60,636 | $60,662 | $26 |
| Year 10 | $130,929 | $130,986 | $57 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jolly Nose or West Haven cheaper to live in?
Jolly Nose is cheaper to run by car at $11,421 per year versus $11,426 for West Haven, a difference of $5 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jolly Nose and West Haven?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Jolly Nose (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in West Haven (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Jolly Nose and $1,300 in West Haven. 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 Jolly Nose and West Haven?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,651 from Jolly Nose and $6,006 from West Haven 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 Jolly Nose and West Haven?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jolly Nose costs a cumulative $130,929 and West Haven costs $130,986 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $57 in favour of Jolly Nose. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jolly Nose and West Haven 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.