Bellimbopinni vs Smithtown: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bellimbopinni and Smithtown are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.3 km and 46.4 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $246 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 →Bellimbopinni
Smithtown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bellimbopinni | Smithtown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,756 | $6,810 | -$54 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,648 | $12,402 | +$246 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $7,992 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bellimbopinni | Smithtown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Bellimbopinni vs Smithtown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bellimbopinni and Smithtown cost within $246 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,820, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Bellimbopinni carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,292 from Bellimbopinni versus $7,992 from Smithtown.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,492 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bellimbopinni by $54 a year, $6,756 against $6,810.
- Building insurance favours Smithtown by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 medium in Bellimbopinni against low in Smithtown, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bellimbopinni cumulative | Smithtown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,648 | $12,402 | $246 |
| Year 3 | $39,094 | $38,333 | $761 |
| Year 5 | $67,150 | $65,844 | $1,306 |
| Year 10 | $144,995 | $142,175 | $2,820 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellimbopinni or Smithtown cheaper to live in?
Smithtown is cheaper to run by car at $12,402 per year versus $12,648 for Bellimbopinni, a difference of $246 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bellimbopinni and Smithtown?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Bellimbopinni (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Smithtown (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bellimbopinni and $1,300 in Smithtown. 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 Bellimbopinni and Smithtown?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,756 from Bellimbopinni and $6,810 from Smithtown to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bellimbopinni and $2,400 from Smithtown.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bellimbopinni and Smithtown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bellimbopinni costs a cumulative $144,995 and Smithtown costs $142,175 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,820 in favour of Smithtown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bellimbopinni and Smithtown 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: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey 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.