Berry Park vs Hinton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Berry Park and Hinton are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23.3 km and 24.7 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $195 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 →Berry Park
Hinton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Berry Park | Hinton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,771 | $5,966 | -$195 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,663 | $11,858 | -$195 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $8,292 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Berry Park | Hinton | 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 — Berry Park vs Hinton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Berry Park and Hinton cost within $195 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,236, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $195 per year. Hinton is 24.7 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,292 and $8,292 a year, so the $195 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Berry Park by $195 a year, $5,771 against $5,966.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.2 in Hinton against 3.2 in Berry Park, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Berry Park cumulative | Hinton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,663 | $11,858 | $195 |
| Year 3 | $36,049 | $36,652 | $603 |
| Year 5 | $61,920 | $62,956 | $1,036 |
| Year 10 | $133,703 | $135,939 | $2,236 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berry Park or Hinton cheaper to live in?
Berry Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,663 per year versus $11,858 for Hinton, a difference of $195 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Berry Park and Hinton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Berry Park (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Hinton (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Berry Park and $1,377 in Hinton. 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 Berry Park and Hinton?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,771 from Berry Park and $5,966 from Hinton to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Berry Park and $2,400 from Hinton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Berry Park and Hinton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Berry Park costs a cumulative $133,703 and Hinton costs $135,939 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,236 in favour of Berry Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Berry Park and Hinton 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: Port Stephens rates (OLG and Port Stephens 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.