Kundabung vs South Kempsey: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kundabung and South Kempsey are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 29.9 km and 34.9 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kundabung runs $982 a year cheaper than South Kempsey, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,258.
Over 10 years, Kundabung costs about $11,300 less to run than South Kempsey — the same as paying $11,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Kundabung
South Kempsey
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kundabung | South Kempsey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,543 | $6,875 | -$332 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,500 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,185 | $13,167 | -$982 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,042 | $8,692 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kundabung | South Kempsey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Kundabung vs South Kempsey (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kundabung costs $982 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,258 in favour of Kundabung.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. South Kempsey carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,042 from Kundabung versus $8,692 from South Kempsey.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,492 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kundabung by $332 a year, $6,543 against $6,875.
- Building insurance favours Kundabung by $650 a year, $2,850 against $3,500.
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 South Kempsey against medium in Kundabung, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kundabung cumulative | South Kempsey cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,185 | $13,167 | $982 |
| Year 3 | $37,663 | $40,698 | $3,035 |
| Year 5 | $64,692 | $69,905 | $5,213 |
| Year 10 | $139,687 | $150,945 | $11,258 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kundabung or South Kempsey cheaper to live in?
Kundabung is cheaper to run by car at $12,185 per year versus $13,167 for South Kempsey, a difference of $982 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kundabung and South Kempsey?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Kundabung (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in South Kempsey (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Kundabung and $1,300 in South Kempsey. 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 Kundabung and South Kempsey?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,543 from Kundabung and $6,875 from South Kempsey to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kundabung and $2,400 from South Kempsey.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kundabung and South Kempsey?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kundabung costs a cumulative $139,687 and South Kempsey costs $150,945 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,258 in favour of Kundabung. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kundabung and South Kempsey 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: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.