King Creek vs Yippin Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
King Creek and Yippin Creek are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16.5 km and 18.5 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 $157 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 the gap between these two is about $1,800, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Yippin Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | King Creek | Yippin Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,577 | $4,970 | -$393 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,577 | $4,970 | -$393 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,750 | $2,200 | +$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,997 | $9,840 | +$157 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,997 | $9,840 | +$157 |
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 | King Creek | Yippin Creek | 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, King Creek vs Yippin Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
King Creek and Yippin Creek differ by $157 a year by car, but $550 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $393, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $550 per year. King Creek carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,997 and $9,840 a year, so the $157 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 King Creek by $393 a year, $4,577 against $4,970.
- Building insurance favours Yippin Creek by $550 a year, $2,200 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 King Creek against medium in Yippin Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | King Creek cumulative | Yippin Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,997 | $9,840 | $157 |
| Year 3 | $30,900 | $30,414 | $486 |
| Year 5 | $53,075 | $52,242 | $833 |
| Year 10 | $114,604 | $112,805 | $1,799 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is King Creek or Yippin Creek cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. King Creek runs $9,997 a year by car and Yippin Creek $9,840, but most of the $157 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $393. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in King Creek and Yippin Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in King Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Yippin Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in King Creek and $1,300 in Yippin Creek. 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 King Creek and Yippin Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,577 from King Creek and $4,970 from Yippin Creek 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 King Creek and Yippin Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, King Creek costs a cumulative $114,604 and Yippin Creek costs $112,805 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,799 in favour of Yippin Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of King Creek and Yippin Creek suits you better?
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.
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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.