Redbank vs Sancrox, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Redbank and Sancrox are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 15.8 km and 11.9 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Sancrox runs $891 a year cheaper than Redbank, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,215.
Over 10 years, Sancrox costs about $10,200 less to run than Redbank. That's about $20 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Redbank
Sancrox
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Redbank | Sancrox | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,431 | $3,540 | +$891 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,431 | $3,540 | +$891 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,750 | $2,750 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,851 | $8,960 | +$891 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,851 | $8,960 | +$891 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Redbank | Sancrox | 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, Redbank vs Sancrox (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Sancrox costs $891 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,215 in favour of Sancrox.
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 gap is $891 per year, $9,851 from Redbank versus $8,960 from Sancrox.
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 Sancrox by $891 a year, $3,540 against $4,431.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,750 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 | Redbank cumulative | Sancrox cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,851 | $8,960 | $891 |
| Year 3 | $30,448 | $27,694 | $2,754 |
| Year 5 | $52,300 | $47,570 | $4,730 |
| Year 10 | $112,931 | $102,716 | $10,215 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Redbank or Sancrox cheaper to live in?
Sancrox is cheaper to run by car at $8,960 per year versus $9,851 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 Redbank and Sancrox?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Redbank (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Sancrox (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Redbank and $1,300 in Sancrox. 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 Redbank and Sancrox?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,431 from Redbank and $3,540 from Sancrox to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Redbank and Sancrox?
At 3% annual cost growth, Redbank costs a cumulative $112,931 and Sancrox costs $102,716 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,215 in favour of Sancrox. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Redbank and Sancrox suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.