Duckmaloi vs Hampton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Duckmaloi (Oberon rates (OLG) and Hampton (Lithgow rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Bathurst CBD (46.7 km and 48.6 km).
The two sit within $52 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Duckmaloi
Hampton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duckmaloi | Hampton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,007 | $1,186 | -$179 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,793 | $6,666 | +$127 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,793 | $6,666 | +$127 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,950 | $11,002 | -$52 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,950 | $11,002 | -$52 |
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 | Duckmaloi | Hampton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $2,857 | +$400 |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,312 | +$379 |
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, Duckmaloi vs Hampton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Duckmaloi and Hampton cost within $52 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $597, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $179 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $10,950 and $11,002 a year, so the $52 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Duckmaloi by $179 a year, $1,007 against $1,186.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hampton by $127 a year, $6,666 against $6,793.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Hampton against medium in Duckmaloi, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duckmaloi cumulative | Hampton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,950 | $11,002 | $52 |
| Year 3 | $33,845 | $34,006 | $161 |
| Year 5 | $58,135 | $58,411 | $276 |
| Year 10 | $125,529 | $126,126 | $597 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duckmaloi or Hampton cheaper to live in?
Duckmaloi is cheaper to run by car at $10,950 per year versus $11,002 for Hampton, a difference of $52 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Duckmaloi and Hampton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,007 in Duckmaloi (Oberon rates (OLG) and $1,186 in Hampton (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Duckmaloi and $1,300 in Hampton. 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 Duckmaloi and Hampton?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,793 from Duckmaloi and $6,666 from Hampton to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duckmaloi and Hampton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duckmaloi costs a cumulative $125,529 and Hampton costs $126,126 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $597 in favour of Duckmaloi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duckmaloi and Hampton suits you better?
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: Oberon rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.