Smithtown vs Summer Island: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Smithtown and Summer Island are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 356.5 km and 361.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Smithtown runs $300 a year cheaper than Summer Island, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Smithtown
Summer Island
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Smithtown | Summer Island | 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 | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,192 | $23,492 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,992 | $8,292 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Smithtown | Summer Island | 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 — Smithtown vs Summer Island (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Smithtown costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Smithtown.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Summer Island carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,992 from Smithtown versus $8,292 from Summer Island.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Smithtown cumulative | Summer Island cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,192 | $23,492 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $71,684 | $72,611 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $123,129 | $124,722 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $265,870 | $269,309 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Smithtown or Summer Island cheaper to live in?
Smithtown is cheaper to run by car at $23,192 per year versus $23,492 for Summer Island, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Smithtown and Summer Island?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Smithtown (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Summer Island (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Smithtown and $1,300 in Summer Island. 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 Smithtown and Summer Island?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Smithtown and $17,600 from Summer Island to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Smithtown and $2,400 from Summer Island.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Smithtown and Summer Island?
At 3% annual cost growth, Smithtown costs a cumulative $265,870 and Summer Island costs $269,309 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Smithtown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Smithtown and Summer Island 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.