Kellys Plains vs Saumarez, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kellys Plains (Armidale Regional rates (OLG) and Saumarez (Uralla Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 28.5% in) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
Saumarez runs $894 a year cheaper than Kellys Plains, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,249.
Over 10 years, Saumarez costs about $10,200 less to run than Kellys Plains. That's about $20 a week.
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Saumarez
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kellys Plains | Saumarez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,524 | $930 | +$594 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,550 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,874 | $21,980 | +$894 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,874 | $21,980 | +$894 |
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 | Kellys Plains | Saumarez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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, Kellys Plains vs Saumarez (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Saumarez costs $894 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,249 in favour of Saumarez.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $594 per year.
On public transport the gap is $894 per year, $22,874 from Kellys Plains versus $21,980 from Saumarez.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Saumarez by $594 a year, $930 against $1,524.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Saumarez by $300 a year, $1,550 against $1,850.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated medium in Kellys Plains against low in Saumarez, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kellys Plains cumulative | Saumarez cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,874 | $21,980 | $894 |
| Year 3 | $70,701 | $67,938 | $2,763 |
| Year 5 | $121,441 | $116,695 | $4,746 |
| Year 10 | $262,225 | $251,976 | $10,249 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kellys Plains or Saumarez cheaper to live in?
Saumarez is cheaper to run by car at $21,980 per year versus $22,874 for Kellys Plains, a difference of $894 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kellys Plains and Saumarez?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,524 in Kellys Plains (Armidale Regional rates (OLG) and $930 in Saumarez (Uralla Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 28.5% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Kellys Plains and $1,300 in Saumarez. 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 Kellys Plains and Saumarez?
Kellys Plains carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Saumarez carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kellys Plains and Saumarez?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kellys Plains costs a cumulative $262,225 and Saumarez costs $251,976 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,249 in favour of Saumarez. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kellys Plains and Saumarez suits you better?
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Sources: Armidale Regional rates (OLG and Uralla Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 28.5% in 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.