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30.0 km from Port Macquarie CBD
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True annual cost of living in Kew, NSW 2439

Living in a house in Kew costs about $12,322 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Kew sits 30.0 kilometres from Port Macquarie CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,432, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 body corporate levy. At 30.0km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $4,152 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Port Macquarie-Hastings Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 22% of Port Macquarie-Hastings suburbs, about 5% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,552, roughly 53% of the annual total.
Flood risk is rated high here, which lifts home insurance. Full risk detail is in the free report.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$12,322
Driving · per year
$1,027/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$11,432
Incl. body corporate
$953/month
House vs unit difference
−$890
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,370
Water & sewerage
Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 30.0km from Port Macquarie CBD · 192 days
$6,552
Home insurance
Estimated · flood High · fire Medium
$3,100
Total annual running cost
$12,322
($1,027/month)
↓ 5% below Port Macquarie-Hastings average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 3.1/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 22% of Port Macquarie-Hastings suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,827/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$2,369/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Kew's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Kew

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Kendall, 5,124 m away, about a 64 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

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Frequently asked questions about Kew

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Kew to Port Macquarie CBD?

Public transport saves Kew residents $4,152 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,552 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Kew?

Kew falls under Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,370 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,370 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Kew?

Running a unit in Kew costs approximately $11,432 per year by car or $7,280 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,370, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $710. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Kew close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Kew is Kendall, a train stop about 5,124 m away, about a 64 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What shops and parks are in Kew?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Kew there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.