Apsley vs Wellington, 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 Wellington are both Dubbo Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wellington runs $11,419 a year cheaper than Apsley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $130,906.
Over 10 years, Wellington costs about $130,900 less to run than Apsley. That's about $252 a week.
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Wellington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Apsley | Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,270 | $1,270 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $6,781 | +$11,419 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $6,781 | +$11,419 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,620 | $11,201 | +$11,419 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,620 | $11,201 | +$11,419 |
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 | Wellington | 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 Wellington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wellington costs $11,419 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $130,906 in favour of Wellington.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $11,419 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 $11,419 per year, $22,620 from Apsley versus $11,201 from Wellington.
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 Wellington by $11,419 a year, $6,781 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 | Wellington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,620 | $11,201 | $11,419 |
| Year 3 | $69,916 | $34,621 | $35,295 |
| Year 5 | $120,093 | $59,468 | $60,625 |
| Year 10 | $259,313 | $128,407 | $130,906 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apsley or Wellington cheaper to live in?
Wellington is cheaper to run by car at $11,201 per year versus $22,620 for Apsley, a difference of $11,419 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Apsley and Wellington?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,270 in Apsley (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG) and $1,270 in Wellington (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Apsley and $1,300 in Wellington. 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 Wellington?
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. Wellington is $6,781 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 Wellington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Apsley costs a cumulative $259,313 and Wellington costs $128,407 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $130,906 in favour of Wellington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Apsley and Wellington 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.