Hartys Plains vs Huntingdon, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hartys Plains and Huntingdon are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.2 km and 24.8 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 $293 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, Huntingdon costs about $3,400 less to run than Hartys Plains. That's about $6 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Hartys Plains
Huntingdon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hartys Plains | Huntingdon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,273 | $5,980 | +$293 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,273 | $5,980 | +$293 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,143 | $10,850 | +$293 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,143 | $10,850 | +$293 |
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 | Hartys Plains | Huntingdon | 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, Hartys Plains vs Huntingdon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hartys Plains and Huntingdon cost within $293 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,359, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $293 per year. Hartys Plains is 27.2 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $293 per year, $11,143 from Hartys Plains versus $10,850 from Huntingdon.
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 Huntingdon by $293 a year, $5,980 against $6,273.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,200 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 | Hartys Plains cumulative | Huntingdon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,143 | $10,850 | $293 |
| Year 3 | $34,442 | $33,536 | $906 |
| Year 5 | $59,160 | $57,604 | $1,556 |
| Year 10 | $127,742 | $124,383 | $3,359 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hartys Plains or Huntingdon cheaper to live in?
Huntingdon is cheaper to run by car at $10,850 per year versus $11,143 for Hartys Plains, a difference of $293 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hartys Plains and Huntingdon?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Hartys Plains (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Huntingdon (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Hartys Plains and $1,300 in Huntingdon. 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 Hartys Plains and Huntingdon?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,273 from Hartys Plains and $5,980 from Huntingdon 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 Hartys Plains and Huntingdon?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hartys Plains costs a cumulative $127,742 and Huntingdon costs $124,383 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,359 in favour of Huntingdon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hartys Plains and Huntingdon suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.