Redbank vs Yippin Creek: 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 Yippin Creek are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 15.8 km and 18.5 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 $111 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 →Redbank
Yippin Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Redbank | Yippin Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,431 | $4,970 | -$539 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,450 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,201 | $10,090 | +$111 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,170 | $7,520 | +$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 | Redbank | Yippin Creek | 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 Yippin Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redbank and Yippin Creek cost within $111 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,272, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Redbank carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,170 from Redbank versus $7,520 from Yippin Creek.
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 Redbank by $539 a year, $4,431 against $4,970.
- Building insurance favours Yippin Creek by $650 a year, $2,450 against $3,100.
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 Redbank against medium in Yippin Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Redbank cumulative | Yippin Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,201 | $10,090 | $111 |
| Year 3 | $31,530 | $31,187 | $343 |
| Year 5 | $54,158 | $53,569 | $589 |
| Year 10 | $116,943 | $115,671 | $1,272 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Redbank or Yippin Creek cheaper to live in?
Yippin Creek is cheaper to run by car at $10,090 per year versus $10,201 for Redbank, a difference of $111 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Redbank and Yippin Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Redbank (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Yippin Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Redbank and $1,300 in Yippin 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 Redbank and Yippin Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,431 from Redbank and $4,970 from Yippin Creek to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Redbank and $2,400 from Yippin Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Redbank and Yippin Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Redbank costs a cumulative $116,943 and Yippin Creek costs $115,671 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,272 in favour of Yippin Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Redbank and Yippin 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: 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.