Lakewood vs North Haven: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lakewood and North Haven are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 288 km and 289.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Lakewood
North Haven
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lakewood | North Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,770 | $23,770 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,570 | $8,570 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lakewood | North Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,570 and $8,570 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lakewood cumulative | North Haven cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,770 | $23,770 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $73,471 | $73,471 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $126,198 | $126,198 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $272,496 | $272,496 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakewood or North Haven cheaper to live in?
Lakewood is cheaper to run by car at $23,770 per year versus $23,770 for North Haven, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Lakewood and $17,600 from North Haven to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lakewood and $2,400 from North Haven.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lakewood and North Haven?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lakewood costs a cumulative $272,496 and North Haven costs $272,496 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Lakewood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lakewood and North Haven 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.