Kings Hill vs Nelsons Plains, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kings Hill and Nelsons Plains are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23.5 km and 22.1 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $61 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.
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 →Kings Hill
Nelsons Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kings Hill | Nelsons Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,800 | $5,589 | +$211 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $1,850 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,292 | $10,231 | +$61 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,892 | $7,042 | -$150 |
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 | Kings Hill | Nelsons Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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, Kings Hill vs Nelsons Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kings Hill and Nelsons Plains cost within $61 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $699, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $211 per year. Kings Hill is 23.5 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,892 and $7,042 a year, so the $61 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Nelsons Plains by $211 a year, $5,589 against $5,800.
- Building insurance favours Kings Hill by $150 a year, $1,700 against $1,850.
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 Nelsons Plains against medium in Kings Hill, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Kings Hill against medium in Nelsons Plains, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kings Hill cumulative | Nelsons Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,292 | $10,231 | $61 |
| Year 3 | $31,812 | $31,623 | $189 |
| Year 5 | $54,642 | $54,318 | $324 |
| Year 10 | $117,986 | $117,287 | $699 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kings Hill or Nelsons Plains cheaper to live in?
Nelsons Plains is cheaper to run by car at $10,231 per year versus $10,292 for Kings Hill, a difference of $61 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kings Hill and Nelsons Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Kings Hill (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Nelsons Plains (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Kings Hill and $1,377 in Nelsons Plains. 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 Kings Hill and Nelsons Plains?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,800 from Kings Hill and $5,589 from Nelsons Plains to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kings Hill and $2,400 from Nelsons Plains.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kings Hill and Nelsons Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kings Hill costs a cumulative $117,986 and Nelsons Plains costs $117,287 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $699 in favour of Nelsons Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kings Hill and Nelsons Plains 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Port Stephens rates (OLG and Port Stephens 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.