Brownsville vs Dapto: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brownsville and Dapto are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 77.2 km and 79.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dapto runs $866 a year cheaper than Brownsville, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,928.
Over 10 years, Dapto costs about $9,900 less to run than Brownsville — the same as paying $9,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Brownsville
Dapto
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brownsville | Dapto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,261 | $3,345 | -$84 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,150 | +$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,728 | $8,862 | +$866 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,867 | $7,917 | +$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brownsville | Dapto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Brownsville vs Dapto (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dapto costs $866 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,928 in favour of Dapto.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Brownsville carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $8,867 from Brownsville versus $7,917 from Dapto.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brownsville cumulative | Dapto cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,728 | $8,862 | $866 |
| Year 3 | $30,068 | $27,392 | $2,676 |
| Year 5 | $51,647 | $47,050 | $4,597 |
| Year 10 | $111,521 | $101,593 | $9,928 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brownsville or Dapto cheaper to live in?
Dapto is cheaper to run by car at $8,862 per year versus $9,728 for Brownsville, a difference of $866 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brownsville and Dapto?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Brownsville (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Dapto (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Brownsville and $1,548 in Dapto. 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 Brownsville and Dapto?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,261 from Brownsville and $3,345 from Dapto to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Brownsville and $2,400 from Dapto.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brownsville and Dapto?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brownsville costs a cumulative $111,521 and Dapto costs $101,593 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,928 in favour of Dapto. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brownsville and Dapto 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.