Gladstone vs Seven Oaks: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gladstone and Seven Oaks are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 46.3 km and 48.3 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 $127 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 →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) | $6,815 | $6,688 | +$127 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,707 | $12,580 | +$127 |
| 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 | Gladstone | Seven Oaks | 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 — Gladstone vs Seven Oaks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gladstone and Seven Oaks cost within $127 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,456, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $127 per year. Seven Oaks is 48.3 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 $127 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 Seven Oaks by $127 a year, $6,688 against $6,815.
- 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 6.1 in Gladstone against 3.1 in Seven Oaks, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gladstone cumulative | Seven Oaks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,707 | $12,580 | $127 |
| Year 3 | $39,276 | $38,884 | $392 |
| Year 5 | $67,463 | $66,789 | $674 |
| Year 10 | $145,672 | $144,216 | $1,456 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gladstone or Seven Oaks cheaper to live in?
Seven Oaks is cheaper to run by car at $12,580 per year versus $12,707 for Gladstone, a difference of $127 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,815 from Gladstone and $6,688 from Seven Oaks to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/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 $145,672 and Seven Oaks costs $144,216 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,456 in favour of Seven Oaks. 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.
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.