North Haven vs West 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
North Haven and West Haven are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 289.9 km and 289.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
West Haven runs $400 a year cheaper than North Haven, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →North Haven
West Haven
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | North Haven | West 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 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,770 | $23,370 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,570 | $8,170 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | North Haven | West 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 — North Haven vs West Haven (2026-27)
What the numbers show
West Haven costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of West Haven.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. North Haven carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,570 from North Haven versus $8,170 from West Haven.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | North Haven cumulative | West Haven cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,770 | $23,370 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $73,471 | $72,234 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $126,198 | $124,075 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $272,496 | $267,911 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Haven or West Haven cheaper to live in?
West Haven is cheaper to run by car at $23,370 per year versus $23,770 for North Haven, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in North Haven and West Haven?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in North Haven (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in West Haven (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in North Haven and $1,300 in West 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 North Haven and West Haven?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from North Haven and $17,600 from West Haven to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from North Haven and $2,400 from West Haven.
What is the 10-year cost difference between North Haven and West Haven?
At 3% annual cost growth, North Haven costs a cumulative $272,496 and West Haven costs $267,911 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of West Haven. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of North Haven and West 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.