East Kempsey vs Hampden Hall, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Kempsey and Hampden Hall are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 39.5 km and 40 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $1 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.
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Hampden Hall
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Kempsey | Hampden Hall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,988 | $6,989 | -$1 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,988 | $6,989 | -$1 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,130 | $12,131 | -$1 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,130 | $12,131 | -$1 |
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 | East Kempsey | Hampden Hall | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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, East Kempsey vs Hampden Hall (2026-27)
What the numbers show
East Kempsey and Hampden Hall cost within $1 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $11, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1 per year. Hampden Hall is 40 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $12,130 and $12,131 a year, so the $1 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,492 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours East Kempsey by $1 a year, $6,988 against $6,989.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,350 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Kempsey cumulative | Hampden Hall cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,130 | $12,131 | $1 |
| Year 3 | $37,493 | $37,496 | $3 |
| Year 5 | $64,400 | $64,405 | $5 |
| Year 10 | $139,057 | $139,068 | $11 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Kempsey or Hampden Hall cheaper to live in?
East Kempsey is cheaper to run by car at $12,130 per year versus $12,131 for Hampden Hall, a difference of $1 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in East Kempsey and Hampden Hall?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in East Kempsey (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Hampden Hall (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in East Kempsey and $1,300 in Hampden Hall. 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 East Kempsey and Hampden Hall?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from East Kempsey and $6,989 from Hampden Hall to Port Macquarie 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 East Kempsey and Hampden Hall?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Kempsey costs a cumulative $139,057 and Hampden Hall costs $139,068 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11 in favour of East Kempsey. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Kempsey and Hampden Hall suits you better?
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Sources: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey 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.