Marks Point vs Pelican: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Marks Point and Pelican are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 99.1 km and 97.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $232 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. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Marks Point
Pelican
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Marks Point | Pelican | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,186 | $4,118 | +$68 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,126 | $10,358 | -$232 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,340 | $8,640 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Marks Point | Pelican | 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 — Marks Point vs Pelican (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Marks Point and Pelican cost within $232 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,660, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Pelican carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,340 from Marks Point versus $8,640 from Pelican.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Marks Point cumulative | Pelican cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,126 | $10,358 | $232 |
| Year 3 | $31,298 | $32,016 | $718 |
| Year 5 | $53,760 | $54,992 | $1,232 |
| Year 10 | $116,083 | $118,743 | $2,660 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marks Point or Pelican cheaper to live in?
Marks Point is cheaper to run by car at $10,126 per year versus $10,358 for Pelican, a difference of $232 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Marks Point and Pelican?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Marks Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Pelican (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Marks Point and $1,377 in Pelican. 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 Marks Point and Pelican?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,186 from Marks Point and $4,118 from Pelican to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Marks Point and $2,400 from Pelican.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Marks Point and Pelican?
At 3% annual cost growth, Marks Point costs a cumulative $116,083 and Pelican costs $118,743 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,660 in favour of Marks Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Marks Point and Pelican 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.