Rawdon Island vs Redbank: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rawdon Island and Redbank are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 11.9 km and 15.8 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rawdon Island runs $891 a year cheaper than Redbank, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,214.
Over 10 years, Rawdon Island costs about $10,200 less to run than Redbank — the same as paying $10,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Redbank
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rawdon Island | Redbank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,540 | $4,431 | -$891 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,310 | $10,201 | -$891 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,170 | $8,170 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Rawdon Island | Redbank | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Rawdon Island vs Redbank (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rawdon Island costs $891 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,214 in favour of Rawdon Island.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $891 per year. Redbank is 15.8 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, $8,170 and $8,170 a year, so the $891 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rawdon Island by $891 a year, $3,540 against $4,431.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 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 | Rawdon Island cumulative | Redbank cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,310 | $10,201 | $891 |
| Year 3 | $28,776 | $31,530 | $2,754 |
| Year 5 | $49,428 | $54,158 | $4,730 |
| Year 10 | $106,729 | $116,943 | $10,214 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rawdon Island or Redbank cheaper to live in?
Rawdon Island is cheaper to run by car at $9,310 per year versus $10,201 for Redbank, a difference of $891 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rawdon Island and Redbank?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Rawdon Island (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Redbank (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Rawdon Island and $1,300 in Redbank. 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 Rawdon Island and Redbank?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,540 from Rawdon Island and $4,431 from Redbank to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Rawdon Island and $2,400 from Redbank.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rawdon Island and Redbank?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rawdon Island costs a cumulative $106,729 and Redbank costs $116,943 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,214 in favour of Rawdon Island. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rawdon Island and Redbank 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 Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.