Brandy Hill 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
Brandy Hill and Hinton are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.5 km and 24.7 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hinton runs $340 a year cheaper than Brandy Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,897.
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 →Brandy Hill
Hinton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brandy Hill | Hinton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,306 | $5,966 | +$340 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,198 | $11,858 | +$340 |
| 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 | Brandy Hill | 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 — Brandy Hill vs Hinton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hinton costs $340 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,897 in favour of Hinton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $340 per year. Brandy Hill is 27.5 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 $340 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 Hinton by $340 a year, $5,966 against $6,306.
- 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 Brandy Hill, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brandy Hill cumulative | Hinton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,198 | $11,858 | $340 |
| Year 3 | $37,703 | $36,652 | $1,051 |
| Year 5 | $64,761 | $62,956 | $1,805 |
| Year 10 | $139,836 | $135,939 | $3,897 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brandy Hill or Hinton cheaper to live in?
Hinton is cheaper to run by car at $11,858 per year versus $12,198 for Brandy Hill, a difference of $340 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brandy Hill and Hinton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Brandy Hill (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Hinton (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Brandy Hill 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 Brandy Hill and Hinton?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,306 from Brandy Hill and $5,966 from Hinton to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Brandy Hill and $2,400 from Hinton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brandy Hill and Hinton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brandy Hill costs a cumulative $139,836 and Hinton costs $135,939 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,897 in favour of Hinton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brandy Hill 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.