Kings Hill vs Nelsons Plains: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kings Hill and Nelsons Plains are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 138.2 km and 135.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Kings Hill
Nelsons Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kings Hill | Nelsons Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,242 | $23,492 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,042 | $8,292 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kings Hill | Nelsons Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Nelsons Plains carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,042 from Kings Hill versus $8,292 from Nelsons Plains.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kings Hill cumulative | Nelsons Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,242 | $23,492 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $71,839 | $72,611 | $772 |
| Year 5 | $123,395 | $124,722 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $266,443 | $269,309 | $2,866 |
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?
Kings Hill is cheaper to run by car at $23,242 per year versus $23,492 for Nelsons Plains, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $17,600 from Kings Hill and $17,600 from Nelsons Plains to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $266,443 and Nelsons Plains costs $269,309 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Kings Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kings Hill and Nelsons Plains is best to actually live in?
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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.