True annual cost of living in Lakes Entrance, VIC 3909
Living in a house in Lakes Entrance costs about $12,399 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Lakes Entrance sits 34.9 kilometres from Bairnsdale CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,209, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 owners corporation levy. The commute is costed by car to Bairnsdale, at $6,875 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.
About $238 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,209
Incl. owners corporation
$1,017/month
About $235 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$190
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Official, 2026-27 East Gippsland rates
$1,729
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 East Gippsland Water
$1,645
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 34.9km from Bairnsdale CBD · 192 days
$6,875
Home insurance
Estimated flood Medium · fire High
$2,150
Owners corporation
Estimated
$1,500
Total annual running cost
$12,399
($1,033/month, $238/week)
Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy on your rates notice: $139 a year plus 17.3 cents per $1,000 of your home's capital improved value (2026-27).
↑ 26% above East Gippsland Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●○○○○2.0/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 6% of East Gippsland Shire Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,016/yr
4,840 kWh
Unit
$1,629/yr
3,630 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Lakes Entrance'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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Lakes Entrance to Bairnsdale CBD?
Public transport options are limited in Lakes Entrance; driving is the practical commute at $6,875 per year.
What are the council rates in Lakes Entrance?
Lakes Entrance falls under East Gippsland Shire Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,729 per year, from the council's budget: residential rate revenue divided by the number of residential assessments, plus the council's municipal charge where it sets one. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, so individual properties pay more or less than the average. The figure excludes waste charges and the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.
What does it cost to run a unit in Lakes Entrance?
Running a unit in Lakes Entrance costs approximately $12,209 per year by car or $12,209 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,729, water and sewerage $1,645, estimated owners corporation levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $460. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
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Data sources: Council rates: East Gippsland rates (2026-27 budget). Water: East Gippsland Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Flood: Victorian planning scheme flood overlays (FO, LSIO, SBO). Fire: Bushfire Management Overlay and Bushfire Prone Area. Data last verified November 2026. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.