Apsley vs Mount Arthur, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Apsley and Mount Arthur are both Dubbo Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Arthur runs $11,368 a year cheaper than Apsley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $130,321.
Over 10 years, Mount Arthur costs about $130,300 less to run than Apsley. That's about $251 a week.
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Mount Arthur
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Apsley | Mount Arthur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,270 | $1,270 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $6,832 | +$11,368 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $6,832 | +$11,368 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,620 | $11,252 | +$11,368 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,620 | $11,252 | +$11,368 |
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 | Apsley | Mount Arthur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Apsley vs Mount Arthur (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Arthur costs $11,368 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $130,321 in favour of Mount Arthur.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $11,368 per year. Apsley is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD, so its driving figure is a flat regional allowance of about 20,000 km of household driving a year rather than a commute.
On public transport the gap is $11,368 per year, $22,620 from Apsley versus $11,252 from Mount Arthur.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,270 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mount Arthur by $11,368 a year, $6,832 against $18,200.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Apsley cumulative | Mount Arthur cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,620 | $11,252 | $11,368 |
| Year 3 | $69,916 | $34,779 | $35,137 |
| Year 5 | $120,093 | $59,738 | $60,355 |
| Year 10 | $259,313 | $128,992 | $130,321 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apsley or Mount Arthur cheaper to live in?
Mount Arthur is cheaper to run by car at $11,252 per year versus $22,620 for Apsley, a difference of $11,368 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Apsley and Mount Arthur?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,270 in Apsley (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG) and $1,270 in Mount Arthur (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Apsley and $1,300 in Mount Arthur. 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 Apsley and Mount Arthur?
Apsley carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Mount Arthur is $6,832 a year to drive to Dubbo 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 Apsley and Mount Arthur?
At 3% annual cost growth, Apsley costs a cumulative $259,313 and Mount Arthur costs $128,992 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $130,321 in favour of Mount Arthur. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Apsley and Mount Arthur suits you better?
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Sources: Dubbo Regional rates (OLG and Dubbo Regional 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.