Gladstone vs Summer Island: 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 Summer Island are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 356.7 km and 361.1 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
Summer Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gladstone | Summer Island | 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 | Summer Island | 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 Summer Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gladstone and Summer Island 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 | Summer Island 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 Summer Island cheaper to live in?
Gladstone is cheaper to run by car at $23,492 per year versus $23,492 for Summer Island, 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 Summer Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Gladstone (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Summer Island (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Gladstone and $1,300 in Summer Island. 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 Summer Island?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Gladstone and $17,600 from Summer Island to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gladstone and $2,400 from Summer Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gladstone and Summer Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gladstone costs a cumulative $269,309 and Summer Island 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 Summer Island 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.