Kew vs Middle Brother, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kew and Middle Brother are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 30 km and 33.3 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 $41 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.
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Middle Brother
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kew | Middle Brother | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,552 | $6,793 | -$241 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,552 | $6,793 | -$241 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,750 | $2,550 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,972 | $12,013 | -$41 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,972 | $12,013 | -$41 |
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 | Kew | Middle Brother | 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, Kew vs Middle Brother (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kew and Middle Brother cost within $41 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $470, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $241 per year. Middle Brother is 33.3 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, $11,972 and $12,013 a year, so the $41 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 Kew by $241 a year, $6,552 against $6,793.
- Building insurance favours Middle Brother by $200 a year, $2,550 against $2,750.
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 high in Kew against medium in Middle Brother, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Middle Brother against medium in Kew, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.8 in Kew against 4.4 in Middle Brother, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kew cumulative | Middle Brother cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,972 | $12,013 | $41 |
| Year 3 | $37,004 | $37,131 | $127 |
| Year 5 | $63,561 | $63,779 | $218 |
| Year 10 | $137,246 | $137,716 | $470 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kew or Middle Brother cheaper to live in?
Kew is cheaper to run by car at $11,972 per year versus $12,013 for Middle Brother, a difference of $41 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kew and Middle Brother?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Kew (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Middle Brother (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Kew and $1,300 in Middle Brother. 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 Kew and Middle Brother?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,552 from Kew and $6,793 from Middle Brother 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 Kew and Middle Brother?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kew costs a cumulative $137,246 and Middle Brother costs $137,716 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $470 in favour of Kew. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kew and Middle Brother 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.