Empire Bay vs Kincumber South: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Empire Bay and Kincumber South are both Central Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 44.2 km and 45.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $40 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 →Empire Bay
Kincumber South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Empire Bay | Kincumber South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,454 | $1,454 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,684 | $6,644 | +$40 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,688 | $12,648 | +$40 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,404 | $8,404 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Empire Bay | Kincumber South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Empire Bay vs Kincumber South (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Empire Bay and Kincumber South cost within $40 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $459, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $40 per year. Kincumber South is 45.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,404 and $8,404 a year, so the $40 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Empire Bay cumulative | Kincumber South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,688 | $12,648 | $40 |
| Year 3 | $39,217 | $39,094 | $123 |
| Year 5 | $67,362 | $67,150 | $212 |
| Year 10 | $145,454 | $144,995 | $459 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Empire Bay or Kincumber South cheaper to live in?
Kincumber South is cheaper to run by car at $12,648 per year versus $12,688 for Empire Bay, a difference of $40 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Empire Bay and Kincumber South?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,454 in Empire Bay (Central Coast rates (OLG) and $1,454 in Kincumber South (Central Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Empire Bay and $1,300 in Kincumber South. 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 Empire Bay and Kincumber South?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,684 from Empire Bay and $6,644 from Kincumber South to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Empire Bay and $2,400 from Kincumber South.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Empire Bay and Kincumber South?
At 3% annual cost growth, Empire Bay costs a cumulative $145,454 and Kincumber South costs $144,995 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $459 in favour of Kincumber South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Empire Bay and Kincumber South 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: Central Coast rates (OLG and Central Coast 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.