Lakewood vs North 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
Lakewood and North Haven are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 26.1 km and 24.3 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 $233 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, North Haven costs about $2,700 less to run than Lakewood. That's about $5 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Lakewood
North Haven
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lakewood | North Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,145 | $5,912 | +$233 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,145 | $5,912 | +$233 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,915 | $11,682 | +$233 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,915 | $11,682 | +$233 |
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 | Lakewood | North 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, Lakewood vs North Haven (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lakewood and North Haven cost within $233 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,671, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $233 per year. Lakewood is 26.1 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $233 per year, $11,915 from Lakewood versus $11,682 from North Haven.
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 North Haven by $233 a year, $5,912 against $6,145.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 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 | Lakewood cumulative | North Haven cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,915 | $11,682 | $233 |
| Year 3 | $36,828 | $36,108 | $720 |
| Year 5 | $63,258 | $62,021 | $1,237 |
| Year 10 | $136,592 | $133,921 | $2,671 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakewood or North Haven cheaper to live in?
North Haven is cheaper to run by car at $11,682 per year versus $11,915 for Lakewood, a difference of $233 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lakewood and North Haven?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Lakewood (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in North Haven (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lakewood and $1,300 in North 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 Lakewood and North Haven?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,145 from Lakewood and $5,912 from North 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 Lakewood and North Haven?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lakewood costs a cumulative $136,592 and North Haven costs $133,921 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,671 in favour of North Haven. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lakewood and North Haven suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.