Lake Innes vs Thrumster: 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 Innes and Thrumster are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 10.6 km and 7.6 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Thrumster runs $810 a year cheaper than Lake Innes, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,286.
Over 10 years, Thrumster costs about $9,300 less to run than Lake Innes — the same as paying $9,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Thrumster
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lake Innes | Thrumster | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,213 | $2,403 | +$810 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,383 | $8,573 | +$810 |
| 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 Innes | Thrumster | 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 Innes vs Thrumster (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Thrumster costs $810 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,286 in favour of Thrumster.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $810 per year. Lake Innes is 10.6 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 $810 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 Thrumster by $810 a year, $2,403 against $3,213.
- 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.
The catchment state school scores 6.2 in Lake Innes against 3.2 in Thrumster, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lake Innes cumulative | Thrumster cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,383 | $8,573 | $810 |
| Year 3 | $29,002 | $26,498 | $2,504 |
| Year 5 | $49,816 | $45,515 | $4,301 |
| Year 10 | $107,566 | $98,280 | $9,286 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Innes or Thrumster cheaper to live in?
Thrumster is cheaper to run by car at $8,573 per year versus $9,383 for Lake Innes, a difference of $810 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lake Innes and Thrumster?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Lake Innes (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Thrumster (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lake Innes and $1,300 in Thrumster. 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 Innes and Thrumster?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,213 from Lake Innes and $2,403 from Thrumster to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lake Innes and $2,400 from Thrumster.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lake Innes and Thrumster?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lake Innes costs a cumulative $107,566 and Thrumster costs $98,280 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,286 in favour of Thrumster. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lake Innes and Thrumster 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.