Hartys Plains vs Hyndmans Creek: 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 Hyndmans Creek are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.2 km and 29.3 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 $166 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 →Hartys Plains
Hyndmans Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hartys Plains | Hyndmans Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,273 | $6,489 | -$216 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,400 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,393 | $11,559 | -$166 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,520 | $7,470 | +$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 | Hartys Plains | Hyndmans Creek | 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 Hyndmans Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hartys Plains and Hyndmans Creek cost within $166 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,903, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $216 per year. Hyndmans Creek is 29.3 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, $7,520 and $7,470 a year, so the $166 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 Hartys Plains by $216 a year, $6,273 against $6,489.
- Building insurance favours Hyndmans Creek 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 Hartys Plains against low in Hyndmans Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Hyndmans Creek against medium in Hartys Plains, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hartys Plains cumulative | Hyndmans Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,393 | $11,559 | $166 |
| Year 3 | $35,215 | $35,728 | $513 |
| Year 5 | $60,487 | $61,368 | $881 |
| Year 10 | $130,608 | $132,511 | $1,903 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hartys Plains or Hyndmans Creek cheaper to live in?
Hartys Plains is cheaper to run by car at $11,393 per year versus $11,559 for Hyndmans Creek, a difference of $166 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 Hyndmans Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Hartys Plains (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Hyndmans Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Hartys Plains and $1,300 in Hyndmans Creek. 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 Hyndmans Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,273 from Hartys Plains and $6,489 from Hyndmans Creek to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hartys Plains and $2,400 from Hyndmans Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hartys Plains and Hyndmans Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hartys Plains costs a cumulative $130,608 and Hyndmans Creek costs $132,511 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,903 in favour of Hartys Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hartys Plains and Hyndmans Creek 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.