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Map of Lake Haven
74.8 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Lake Haven, NSW 2263

Living in a house in Lake Haven costs about $8,172 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Lake Haven sits 74.8 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $8,312, with the $1,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 74.8km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $868 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Central Coast Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 100% of Central Coast suburbs, about 25% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $3,268, roughly 40% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $868 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$8,172
Driving · per year
$681/month
Unit annual cost
$8,312
Incl. body corporate
$693/month
House vs unit difference
+$140
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Central Coast rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,454
Water & sewerage
Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 74.8km from CBD · 192 days
$3,268
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire Low
$2,150
Total annual running cost
$8,172
($681/month)
↓ 25% below Central Coast average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.6/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 100% of Central Coast suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,342/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$1,909/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Lake Haven's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Lake Haven

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Lake Haven Centre, Stand 3, 423 m away, about a 5 minute walk. It is a bus stop.
Nearest hospital
Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital, 3,139 m away, about a 39 minute walk.
Supermarkets
4
Cafes
1
Parks
20
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

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Frequently asked questions about Lake Haven

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Lake Haven to the CBD?

Public transport saves Lake Haven residents $868 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,268 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Lake Haven?

Lake Haven falls under Central Coast Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,454 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,454 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Lake Haven?

Running a unit in Lake Haven costs approximately $8,312 per year by car or $7,444 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,454, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $490. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Lake Haven close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Lake Haven is Lake Haven Centre, Stand 3, a bus stop about 423 m away, about a 5 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Lake Haven?

The closest hospital to the centre of Lake Haven is Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital, about 3,139 m away, about a 39 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Lake Haven?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Lake Haven there are 4 supermarkets, 1 cafe and 20 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Central Coast rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.