Jerseyville vs South West Rocks: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Jerseyville and South West Rocks are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 369.7 km and 372.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Jerseyville runs $400 a year cheaper than South West Rocks, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Jerseyville
South West Rocks
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Jerseyville | South West Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,492 | $23,892 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $8,692 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Jerseyville | South West Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Jerseyville vs South West Rocks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jerseyville costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Jerseyville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. South West Rocks carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,292 from Jerseyville versus $8,692 from South West Rocks.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Jerseyville cumulative | South West Rocks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,492 | $23,892 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,611 | $73,848 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $124,722 | $126,846 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $269,309 | $273,895 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jerseyville or South West Rocks cheaper to live in?
Jerseyville is cheaper to run by car at $23,492 per year versus $23,892 for South West Rocks, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Jerseyville and South West Rocks?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Jerseyville (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in South West Rocks (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Jerseyville and $1,300 in South West Rocks. 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 Jerseyville and South West Rocks?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Jerseyville and $17,600 from South West Rocks to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Jerseyville and $2,400 from South West Rocks.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Jerseyville and South West Rocks?
At 3% annual cost growth, Jerseyville costs a cumulative $269,309 and South West Rocks costs $273,895 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Jerseyville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Jerseyville and South West Rocks 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: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.