Point Clare vs Point Frederick: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Point Clare and Point Frederick are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 49.1 km and 48.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $278 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 →Point Clare
Point Frederick
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Point Clare | Point Frederick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,409 | $6,431 | -$22 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,950 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,413 | $12,135 | +$278 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,404 | $8,104 | +$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 | Point Clare | Point Frederick | 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 — Point Clare vs Point Frederick (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Point Clare and Point Frederick cost within $278 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,187, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Point Clare carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,404 from Point Clare versus $8,104 from Point Frederick.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Point Clare cumulative | Point Frederick cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,413 | $12,135 | $278 |
| Year 3 | $38,367 | $37,508 | $859 |
| Year 5 | $65,902 | $64,426 | $1,476 |
| Year 10 | $142,301 | $139,114 | $3,187 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Point Clare or Point Frederick cheaper to live in?
Point Frederick is cheaper to run by car at $12,135 per year versus $12,413 for Point Clare, a difference of $278 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Point Clare and Point Frederick?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Point Clare (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Point Frederick (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Point Clare and $1,300 in Point Frederick. 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 Point Clare and Point Frederick?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,409 from Point Clare and $6,431 from Point Frederick to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Point Clare and $2,400 from Point Frederick.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Point Clare and Point Frederick?
At 3% annual cost growth, Point Clare costs a cumulative $142,301 and Point Frederick costs $139,114 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,187 in favour of Point Frederick. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Point Clare and Point Frederick 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.