Hampden Hall vs Kempsey, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hampden Hall and Kempsey are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 40 km and 41.8 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 $14 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.
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Kempsey
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hampden Hall | Kempsey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,989 | $6,975 | +$14 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,989 | $6,975 | +$14 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,131 | $12,117 | +$14 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,131 | $12,117 | +$14 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hampden Hall | Kempsey | 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, Hampden Hall vs Kempsey (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hampden Hall and Kempsey cost within $14 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $160, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $14 per year. Kempsey is 41.8 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, $12,131 and $12,117 a year, so the $14 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 Kempsey by $14 a year, $6,975 against $6,989.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,350 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 | Hampden Hall cumulative | Kempsey cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,131 | $12,117 | $14 |
| Year 3 | $37,496 | $37,452 | $44 |
| Year 5 | $64,405 | $64,331 | $74 |
| Year 10 | $139,068 | $138,908 | $160 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hampden Hall or Kempsey cheaper to live in?
Kempsey is cheaper to run by car at $12,117 per year versus $12,131 for Hampden Hall, a difference of $14 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hampden Hall and Kempsey?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Hampden Hall (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Kempsey (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Hampden Hall and $1,300 in Kempsey. 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 Hampden Hall and Kempsey?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,989 from Hampden Hall and $6,975 from Kempsey to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hampden Hall and Kempsey?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hampden Hall costs a cumulative $139,068 and Kempsey costs $138,908 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $160 in favour of Kempsey. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hampden Hall and Kempsey suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.