Hacks Ferry vs The Hatch: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hacks Ferry and The Hatch are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.2 km and 10 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The Hatch runs $1,023 a year cheaper than Hacks Ferry, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,728.
Over 10 years, The Hatch costs about $11,700 less to run than Hacks Ferry — the same as paying $11,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Hacks Ferry
The Hatch
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hacks Ferry | The Hatch | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,081 | $3,058 | +$1,023 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,851 | $8,828 | +$1,023 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,170 | $8,170 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hacks Ferry | The Hatch | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,827 | -$53 |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,369 | -$40 |
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 — Hacks Ferry vs The Hatch (2026-27)
What the numbers show
The Hatch costs $1,023 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,728 in favour of The Hatch.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,023 per year. Hacks Ferry is 14.2 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, $8,170 and $8,170 a year, so the $1,023 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours The Hatch by $1,023 a year, $3,058 against $4,081.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hacks Ferry cumulative | The Hatch cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,851 | $8,828 | $1,023 |
| Year 3 | $30,448 | $27,286 | $3,162 |
| Year 5 | $52,300 | $46,869 | $5,431 |
| Year 10 | $112,931 | $101,203 | $11,728 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hacks Ferry or The Hatch cheaper to live in?
The Hatch is cheaper to run by car at $8,828 per year versus $9,851 for Hacks Ferry, a difference of $1,023 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hacks Ferry and The Hatch?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Hacks Ferry (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in The Hatch (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Hacks Ferry and $1,300 in The Hatch. 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 Hacks Ferry and The Hatch?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,081 from Hacks Ferry and $3,058 from The Hatch to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hacks Ferry and $2,400 from The Hatch.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hacks Ferry and The Hatch?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hacks Ferry costs a cumulative $112,931 and The Hatch costs $101,203 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,728 in favour of The Hatch. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hacks Ferry and The Hatch 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: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.