Duckmaloi vs Hampton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 Sydney CBD (116.7 km and 113.7 km).
Duckmaloi runs $579 a year cheaper than Hampton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,638.
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 →Duckmaloi
Hampton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duckmaloi | Hampton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,007 | $1,186 | -$179 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,907 | $22,486 | -$579 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,707 | $7,286 | -$579 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Duckmaloi | Hampton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 costs $579 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,638 in favour of Duckmaloi.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $579 per year, $6,707 from Duckmaloi versus $7,286 from Hampton.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duckmaloi cumulative | Hampton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,907 | $22,486 | $579 |
| Year 3 | $67,712 | $69,502 | $1,790 |
| Year 5 | $116,307 | $119,381 | $3,074 |
| Year 10 | $251,139 | $257,777 | $6,638 |
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 $21,907 per year versus $22,486 for Hampton, a difference of $579 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Duckmaloi and $17,600 from Hampton to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Duckmaloi and $2,400 from Hampton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duckmaloi and Hampton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duckmaloi costs a cumulative $251,139 and Hampton costs $257,777 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,638 in favour of Duckmaloi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duckmaloi and Hampton 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: Oberon rates (OLG and Lithgow rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.