Lake Cathie vs Lake Innes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lake Cathie and Lake Innes are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13.5 km and 10.6 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lake Innes runs $708 a year cheaper than Lake Cathie, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,116.
Over 10 years, Lake Innes costs about $8,100 less to run than Lake Cathie — the same as paying $8,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Lake Cathie
Lake Innes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Cathie | Lake Innes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,921 | $3,213 | +$708 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,091 | $9,383 | +$708 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,570 | $8,570 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lake Cathie | Lake Innes | 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 — Lake Cathie vs Lake Innes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lake Innes costs $708 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,116 in favour of Lake Innes.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $708 per year. Lake Cathie is 13.5 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, $8,570 and $8,570 a year, so the $708 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 Lake Innes by $708 a year, $3,213 against $3,921.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,500 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 | Lake Cathie cumulative | Lake Innes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,091 | $9,383 | $708 |
| Year 3 | $31,190 | $29,002 | $2,188 |
| Year 5 | $53,574 | $49,816 | $3,758 |
| Year 10 | $115,682 | $107,566 | $8,116 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Cathie or Lake Innes cheaper to live in?
Lake Innes is cheaper to run by car at $9,383 per year versus $10,091 for Lake Cathie, a difference of $708 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Cathie and Lake Innes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Lake Cathie (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Lake Innes (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lake Cathie and $1,300 in Lake Innes. 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 Lake Cathie and Lake Innes?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,921 from Lake Cathie and $3,213 from Lake Innes to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lake Cathie and $2,400 from Lake Innes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Cathie and Lake Innes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Cathie costs a cumulative $115,682 and Lake Innes costs $107,566 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,116 in favour of Lake Innes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Cathie and Lake Innes 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.