Arthurville vs Benolong: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Arthurville and Benolong are both Dubbo Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 35.3 km and 32.6 km from Dubbo CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Arthurville runs $958 a year cheaper than Benolong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,982.
Over 10 years, Arthurville costs about $11,000 less to run than Benolong — the same as paying $11,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Benolong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Arthurville | Benolong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,270 | $1,270 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,892 | $6,750 | +$142 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $3,100 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,462 | $12,420 | -$958 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,970 | $8,070 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Arthurville | Benolong | 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 — Arthurville vs Benolong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Arthurville costs $958 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,982 in favour of Arthurville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Benolong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $6,970 from Arthurville versus $8,070 from Benolong.
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 Benolong by $142 a year, $6,750 against $6,892.
- Building insurance favours Arthurville by $1,100 a year, $2,000 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 Benolong against low in Arthurville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arthurville cumulative | Benolong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,462 | $12,420 | $958 |
| Year 3 | $35,428 | $38,389 | $2,961 |
| Year 5 | $60,853 | $65,939 | $5,086 |
| Year 10 | $131,399 | $142,381 | $10,982 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arthurville or Benolong cheaper to live in?
Arthurville is cheaper to run by car at $11,462 per year versus $12,420 for Benolong, a difference of $958 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Arthurville and Benolong?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,270 in Arthurville (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG) and $1,270 in Benolong (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Arthurville and $1,300 in Benolong. 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 Arthurville and Benolong?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,892 from Arthurville and $6,750 from Benolong to Dubbo CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Arthurville and $2,400 from Benolong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Arthurville and Benolong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Arthurville costs a cumulative $131,399 and Benolong costs $142,381 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,982 in favour of Arthurville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arthurville and Benolong 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.