Butterwick vs Duns Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Butterwick and Duns Creek are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 33.3 km and 37.6 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $21 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.
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Duns Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Butterwick | Duns Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,793 | $6,964 | -$171 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,700 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,435 | $11,456 | -$21 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,042 | $6,892 | +$150 |
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 | Butterwick | Duns Creek | 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, Butterwick vs Duns Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Butterwick and Duns Creek cost within $21 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $241, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $171 per year. Duns Creek is 37.6 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,042 and $6,892 a year, so the $21 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Butterwick by $171 a year, $6,793 against $6,964.
- Building insurance favours Duns Creek by $150 a year, $1,700 against $1,850.
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 Butterwick against medium in Duns Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Duns Creek against medium in Butterwick, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Butterwick cumulative | Duns Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,435 | $11,456 | $21 |
| Year 3 | $35,344 | $35,409 | $65 |
| Year 5 | $60,710 | $60,821 | $111 |
| Year 10 | $131,089 | $131,330 | $241 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Butterwick or Duns Creek cheaper to live in?
Butterwick is cheaper to run by car at $11,435 per year versus $11,456 for Duns Creek, a difference of $21 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Butterwick and Duns Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Butterwick (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Duns Creek (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Butterwick and $1,377 in Duns Creek. 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 Butterwick and Duns Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,793 from Butterwick and $6,964 from Duns Creek to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Butterwick and $2,400 from Duns Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Butterwick and Duns Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Butterwick costs a cumulative $131,089 and Duns Creek costs $131,330 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $241 in favour of Butterwick. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Butterwick and Duns Creek suits you better?
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Sources: Port Stephens rates (OLG and Port Stephens 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.