Mooneba vs Sherwood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mooneba and Sherwood are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.9 km and 44.3 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 $192 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 →Mooneba
Sherwood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mooneba | Sherwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,716 | $6,908 | -$192 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,958 | $12,150 | -$192 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,642 | $7,642 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mooneba | Sherwood | 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 — Mooneba vs Sherwood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mooneba and Sherwood cost within $192 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,201, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $192 per year. Mooneba is 47.9 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, $7,642 and $7,642 a year, so the $192 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Mooneba by $192 a year, $6,716 against $6,908.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,450 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mooneba cumulative | Sherwood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,958 | $12,150 | $192 |
| Year 3 | $36,961 | $37,554 | $593 |
| Year 5 | $63,487 | $64,506 | $1,019 |
| Year 10 | $137,085 | $139,286 | $2,201 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mooneba or Sherwood cheaper to live in?
Mooneba is cheaper to run by car at $11,958 per year versus $12,150 for Sherwood, a difference of $192 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mooneba and Sherwood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Mooneba (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Sherwood (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mooneba and $1,300 in Sherwood. 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 Mooneba and Sherwood?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,716 from Mooneba and $6,908 from Sherwood to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mooneba and $2,400 from Sherwood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mooneba and Sherwood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mooneba costs a cumulative $137,085 and Sherwood costs $139,286 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,201 in favour of Mooneba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mooneba and Sherwood 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.