Hillvue vs Kingswood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Hillvue and Kingswood are both Tamworth Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.1 km and 7.6 km from Tamworth CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hillvue runs $1,344 a year cheaper than Kingswood, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,407.
Over 10 years, Hillvue costs about $15,400 less to run than Kingswood — the same as paying $15,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Kingswood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Hillvue | Kingswood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,442 | $1,442 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,359 | $2,403 | -$1,044 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,000 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,801 | $7,145 | -$1,344 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,842 | $7,142 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Hillvue | Kingswood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Hillvue vs Kingswood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hillvue costs $1,344 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,407 in favour of Hillvue.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,044 per year. Kingswood is 7.6 km from Tamworth CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,842 from Hillvue versus $7,142 from Kingswood.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,442 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Hillvue by $1,044 a year, $1,359 against $2,403.
- Building insurance favours Hillvue by $300 a year, $1,700 against $2,000.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Kingswood against low in Hillvue, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.1 in Kingswood against 1 in Hillvue, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Hillvue cumulative | Kingswood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,801 | $7,145 | $1,344 |
| Year 3 | $17,930 | $22,084 | $4,154 |
| Year 5 | $30,798 | $37,934 | $7,136 |
| Year 10 | $66,502 | $81,909 | $15,407 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hillvue or Kingswood cheaper to live in?
Hillvue is cheaper to run by car at $5,801 per year versus $7,145 for Kingswood, a difference of $1,344 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Hillvue and Kingswood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,442 in Hillvue (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG) and $1,442 in Kingswood (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Hillvue and $1,300 in Kingswood. 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 Hillvue and Kingswood?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,359 from Hillvue and $2,403 from Kingswood to Tamworth CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Hillvue and $2,400 from Kingswood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Hillvue and Kingswood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Hillvue costs a cumulative $66,502 and Kingswood costs $81,909 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,407 in favour of Hillvue. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Hillvue and Kingswood is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Tamworth Regional rates (OLG and Tamworth Regional 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.