Burraneer vs Dolans Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burraneer and Dolans Bay are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.1 km and 22.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $108 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. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Burraneer
Dolans Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burraneer | Dolans Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,589 | $5,697 | -$108 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,704 | $11,812 | -$108 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,515 | $8,515 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Burraneer | Dolans Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Burraneer vs Dolans Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burraneer and Dolans Bay cost within $108 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,238, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $108 per year. Dolans Bay is 22.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,515 and $8,515 a year, so the $108 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,617 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Burraneer by $108 a year, $5,589 against $5,697.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 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.
The catchment state school scores 8.8 in Dolans Bay against 7.6 in Burraneer, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burraneer cumulative | Dolans Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,704 | $11,812 | $108 |
| Year 3 | $36,176 | $36,510 | $334 |
| Year 5 | $62,138 | $62,712 | $574 |
| Year 10 | $134,173 | $135,411 | $1,238 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burraneer or Dolans Bay cheaper to live in?
Burraneer is cheaper to run by car at $11,704 per year versus $11,812 for Dolans Bay, a difference of $108 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burraneer and Dolans Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Burraneer (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Dolans Bay (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Burraneer and $1,548 in Dolans Bay. 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 Burraneer and Dolans Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,589 from Burraneer and $5,697 from Dolans Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Burraneer and $2,400 from Dolans Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burraneer and Dolans Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burraneer costs a cumulative $134,173 and Dolans Bay costs $135,411 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,238 in favour of Burraneer. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burraneer and Dolans Bay 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.