Bombo vs Dunmore, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bombo (Kiama rates (OLG) and Dunmore (Shellharbour rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (92.9 km and 91.1 km).
The two sit within $27 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Bombo
Dunmore
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bombo | Dunmore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,959 | $1,865 | +$94 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,058 | $3,979 | +$79 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,665 | $9,692 | -$27 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,007 | $8,113 | -$106 |
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 | Bombo | Dunmore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Bombo vs Dunmore (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bombo and Dunmore cost within $27 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $310, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Dunmore carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,007 and $8,113 a year, so the $27 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Dunmore by $94 a year, $1,865 against $1,959.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dunmore by $79 a year, $3,979 against $4,058.
- Building insurance favours Bombo by $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated medium in Dunmore against low in Bombo, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bombo cumulative | Dunmore cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,665 | $9,692 | $27 |
| Year 3 | $29,874 | $29,957 | $83 |
| Year 5 | $51,313 | $51,456 | $143 |
| Year 10 | $110,798 | $111,108 | $310 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bombo or Dunmore cheaper to live in?
Bombo is cheaper to run by car at $9,665 per year versus $9,692 for Dunmore, a difference of $27 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bombo and Dunmore?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,959 in Bombo (Kiama rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Dunmore (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bombo and $1,548 in Dunmore. 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 Bombo and Dunmore?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,058 from Bombo and $3,979 from Dunmore to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bombo and $2,400 from Dunmore.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bombo and Dunmore?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bombo costs a cumulative $110,798 and Dunmore costs $111,108 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $310 in favour of Bombo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bombo and Dunmore suits you better?
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.
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Sources: Kiama rates (OLG and Shellharbour 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.