Bensville vs Kincumber South, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bensville and Kincumber South are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 44.3 km and 45.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $113 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 the gap between these two is about $1,300, about $2 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Kincumber South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bensville | Kincumber South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,908 | $6,871 | +$37 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,000 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,512 | $11,625 | -$113 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,004 | $7,154 | -$150 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bensville | Kincumber South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Bensville vs Kincumber South (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bensville and Kincumber South differ by $113 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $37, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Kincumber South carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,004 and $7,154 a year, so the $113 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,454 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kincumber South by $37 a year, $6,871 against $6,908.
- Building insurance favours Bensville by $150 a year, $1,850 against $2,000.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Kincumber South against medium in Bensville, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Bensville against medium in Kincumber South, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bensville cumulative | Kincumber South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,512 | $11,625 | $113 |
| Year 3 | $35,582 | $35,932 | $350 |
| Year 5 | $61,119 | $61,719 | $600 |
| Year 10 | $131,972 | $133,268 | $1,296 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bensville or Kincumber South cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bensville runs $11,512 a year by car and Kincumber South $11,625, but most of the $113 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $37. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bensville and Kincumber South?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Bensville (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Kincumber South (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bensville and $1,300 in Kincumber South. 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 Bensville and Kincumber South?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,908 from Bensville and $6,871 from Kincumber South to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bensville and $2,400 from Kincumber South.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bensville and Kincumber South?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bensville costs a cumulative $131,972 and Kincumber South costs $133,268 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,296 in favour of Bensville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bensville and Kincumber South suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.