Kerewong vs Swans Crossing, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kerewong and Swans Crossing are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 40 km and 35.2 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 $101 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, Swans Crossing costs about $1,200 less to run than Kerewong. That's about $2 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 →Kerewong
Swans Crossing
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kerewong | Swans Crossing | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,989 | $6,888 | +$101 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,989 | $6,888 | +$101 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,809 | $11,708 | +$101 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,809 | $11,708 | +$101 |
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 | Kerewong | Swans Crossing | 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, Kerewong vs Swans Crossing (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kerewong and Swans Crossing cost within $101 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,158, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $101 per year. Kerewong is 40 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, $11,809 and $11,708 a year, so the $101 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 Swans Crossing by $101 a year, $6,888 against $6,989.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 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 | Kerewong cumulative | Swans Crossing cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,809 | $11,708 | $101 |
| Year 3 | $36,500 | $36,188 | $312 |
| Year 5 | $62,696 | $62,159 | $537 |
| Year 10 | $135,377 | $134,219 | $1,158 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kerewong or Swans Crossing cheaper to live in?
Swans Crossing is cheaper to run by car at $11,708 per year versus $11,809 for Kerewong, a difference of $101 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kerewong and Swans Crossing?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Kerewong (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Swans Crossing (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Kerewong and $1,300 in Swans Crossing. 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 Kerewong and Swans Crossing?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,989 from Kerewong and $6,888 from Swans Crossing 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 Kerewong and Swans Crossing?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kerewong costs a cumulative $135,377 and Swans Crossing costs $134,219 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,158 in favour of Swans Crossing. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kerewong and Swans Crossing suits you better?
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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.