Hannam Vale vs Stewarts River: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hannam Vale and Stewarts River are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42.8 km and 40.6 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 $82 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 →Hannam Vale
Stewarts River
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hannam Vale | Stewarts River | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,955 | $6,987 | -$32 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,450 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,264 | $12,346 | -$82 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,709 | $7,759 | -$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hannam Vale | Stewarts River | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Hannam Vale vs Stewarts River (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hannam Vale and Stewarts River cost within $82 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $940, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Stewarts River carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,709 and $7,759 a year, so the $82 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,609 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hannam Vale by $32 a year, $6,955 against $6,987.
- Building insurance favours Hannam Vale by $50 a year, $2,400 against $2,450.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Stewarts River against low in Hannam Vale, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Hannam Vale against medium in Stewarts River, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hannam Vale cumulative | Stewarts River cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,264 | $12,346 | $82 |
| Year 3 | $37,907 | $38,160 | $253 |
| Year 5 | $65,111 | $65,547 | $436 |
| Year 10 | $140,593 | $141,533 | $940 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hannam Vale or Stewarts River cheaper to live in?
Hannam Vale is cheaper to run by car at $12,264 per year versus $12,346 for Stewarts River, a difference of $82 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hannam Vale and Stewarts River?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Hannam Vale (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Stewarts River (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Hannam Vale and $1,300 in Stewarts River. 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 Hannam Vale and Stewarts River?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,955 from Hannam Vale and $6,987 from Stewarts River to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hannam Vale and $2,400 from Stewarts River.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hannam Vale and Stewarts River?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hannam Vale costs a cumulative $140,593 and Stewarts River costs $141,533 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $940 in favour of Hannam Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hannam Vale and Stewarts River 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.