Gladstone vs Seven Oaks: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gladstone and Seven Oaks are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 356.7 km and 357.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Gladstone
Seven Oaks
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gladstone | Seven Oaks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,492 | $23,492 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $8,292 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Gladstone | Seven Oaks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Gladstone vs Seven Oaks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gladstone and Seven Oaks cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,292 and $8,292 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gladstone cumulative | Seven Oaks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,492 | $23,492 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,611 | $72,611 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,722 | $124,722 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $269,309 | $269,309 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gladstone or Seven Oaks cheaper to live in?
Gladstone is cheaper to run by car at $23,492 per year versus $23,492 for Seven Oaks, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gladstone and Seven Oaks?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Gladstone (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Seven Oaks (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Gladstone and $1,300 in Seven Oaks. 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 Gladstone and Seven Oaks?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Gladstone and $17,600 from Seven Oaks to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gladstone and $2,400 from Seven Oaks.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gladstone and Seven Oaks?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gladstone costs a cumulative $269,309 and Seven Oaks costs $269,309 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Gladstone. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gladstone and Seven Oaks 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.