Frederickton vs West Kempsey: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Frederickton and West Kempsey are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 44.6 km and 42.4 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 $68 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 →Frederickton
West Kempsey
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Frederickton | West Kempsey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,896 | $6,964 | -$68 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,788 | $12,856 | -$68 |
| 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 | Frederickton | West Kempsey | 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 — Frederickton vs West Kempsey (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Frederickton and West Kempsey cost within $68 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $780, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $68 per year. Frederickton is 44.6 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, $8,292 and $8,292 a year, so the $68 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 Frederickton by $68 a year, $6,896 against $6,964.
- 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 3.3 in Frederickton against 1 in West Kempsey, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Frederickton cumulative | West Kempsey cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,788 | $12,856 | $68 |
| Year 3 | $39,526 | $39,737 | $211 |
| Year 5 | $67,893 | $68,254 | $361 |
| Year 10 | $146,600 | $147,380 | $780 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frederickton or West Kempsey cheaper to live in?
Frederickton is cheaper to run by car at $12,788 per year versus $12,856 for West Kempsey, a difference of $68 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Frederickton and West Kempsey?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Frederickton (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in West Kempsey (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Frederickton and $1,300 in West Kempsey. 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 Frederickton and West Kempsey?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,896 from Frederickton and $6,964 from West Kempsey to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Frederickton and $2,400 from West Kempsey.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Frederickton and West Kempsey?
At 3% annual cost growth, Frederickton costs a cumulative $146,600 and West Kempsey costs $147,380 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $780 in favour of Frederickton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Frederickton and West Kempsey 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.