Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Blog Suburbs

Council rates: 2026-27 · Water & commute: 2025-26 · Sources: council websites, QUU, ATO, ABS

Marmong Point vs Woodrising: true annual running costs compared (2026)

Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks

Marmong Point and Woodrising are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16.3 km and 17.4 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.

The verdict
Marmong Point and Woodrising cost about the same to live in

The two sit within $177 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.

$177difference per year
$2,029over 10 years
home insurancebiggest cost driver

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 →

Marmong Point

2284 · Lake Macquarie rates (OLG · 16.3 km from CBD
$11,175
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$9,040
School score4.3/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Woodrising

2284 · Lake Macquarie rates (OLG · 17.4 km from CBD
$10,998
Total annual cost (driving)
Public transport total$8,640
School score4.3/10
Flood & fire riskIn report

Annual cost breakdown

CategoryMarmong PointWoodrisingDifference
Council rates$1,763$1,763-
Water & sewerage$1,377$1,377-
Commute (driving)$4,535$4,758-$223
Commute (public transport)$2,400$2,400-
Home insurance$3,500$3,100+$400
Body corporate (unit)$1,800$1,800-
Total (driving)$11,175$10,998+$177
Total (public transport)$9,040$8,640+$400

Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).

Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
DwellingMarmong PointWoodrisingDifference
House$2,342$2,342-
Unit$1,909$1,909-

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 — Marmong Point vs Woodrising (2026-27)

What the numbers show

Marmong Point and Woodrising cost within $177 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,029, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.

The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Marmong Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.

On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $9,040 from Marmong Point versus $8,640 from Woodrising.

Where the difference actually comes from

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 and the insurance band.

Fire risk is rated high in Marmong Point against medium in Woodrising, which feeds the insurance estimate.

10-year cumulative cost projection

YearMarmong Point cumulativeWoodrising cumulativeDifference
Year 1$11,175$10,998$177
Year 3$34,541$33,994$547
Year 5$59,330$58,390$940
Year 10$128,109$126,080$2,029

Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Is Marmong Point or Woodrising cheaper to live in?

    Woodrising is cheaper to run by car at $10,998 per year versus $11,175 for Marmong Point, a difference of $177 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.

  2. What are council rates in Marmong Point and Woodrising?

    Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Marmong Point (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Woodrising (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Marmong Point and $1,377 in Woodrising. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.

  3. How does the commute cost compare between Marmong Point and Woodrising?

    Annual driving commute costs are $4,535 from Marmong Point and $4,758 from Woodrising to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Marmong Point and $2,400 from Woodrising.

  4. What is the 10-year cost difference between Marmong Point and Woodrising?

    At 3% annual cost growth, Marmong Point costs a cumulative $128,109 and Woodrising costs $126,080 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,029 in favour of Woodrising. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.

Which of Marmong Point and Woodrising 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.

Free · no spam · built from official council, ATO & ACARA data

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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.