Gladstone vs Smithtown: 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 Smithtown are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 356.7 km and 356.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Smithtown runs $300 a year cheaper than Gladstone, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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
Smithtown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gladstone | Smithtown | 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 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,492 | $23,192 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $7,992 | +$300 |
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 | Smithtown | 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 Smithtown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Smithtown costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Smithtown.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Gladstone carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,292 from Gladstone versus $7,992 from Smithtown.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gladstone cumulative | Smithtown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,492 | $23,192 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $72,611 | $71,684 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $124,722 | $123,129 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $269,309 | $265,870 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gladstone or Smithtown cheaper to live in?
Smithtown is cheaper to run by car at $23,192 per year versus $23,492 for Gladstone, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gladstone and Smithtown?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Gladstone (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Smithtown (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Gladstone and $1,300 in Smithtown. 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 Smithtown?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Gladstone and $17,600 from Smithtown to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gladstone and $2,400 from Smithtown.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gladstone and Smithtown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gladstone costs a cumulative $269,309 and Smithtown costs $265,870 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Smithtown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gladstone and Smithtown 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.