Old Station vs Pola Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Old Station and Pola Creek are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 351.6 km and 349.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Old Station
Pola Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Old Station | Pola Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,492 | $23,492 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $8,292 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Old Station | Pola Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Old Station vs Pola Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Old Station and Pola Creek cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,292 and $8,292 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Old Station cumulative | Pola Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,492 | $23,492 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,611 | $72,611 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,722 | $124,722 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $269,309 | $269,309 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Old Station or Pola Creek cheaper to live in?
Old Station is cheaper to run by car at $23,492 per year versus $23,492 for Pola Creek, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Old Station and Pola Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Old Station (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Pola Creek (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Old Station and $1,300 in Pola 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 Old Station and Pola Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Old Station and $17,600 from Pola Creek to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Old Station and $2,400 from Pola Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Old Station and Pola Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Old Station costs a cumulative $269,309 and Pola Creek costs $269,309 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Old Station. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Old Station and Pola Creek 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.