Camden Head vs Dunbogan: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camden Head and Dunbogan are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 24.5 km and 25.7 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Camden Head runs $857 a year cheaper than Dunbogan, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,825.
Over 10 years, Camden Head costs about $9,800 less to run than Dunbogan — the same as paying $9,800 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 →Camden Head
Dunbogan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden Head | Dunbogan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,939 | $6,096 | -$157 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,500 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,409 | $12,266 | -$857 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,870 | $8,570 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Camden Head | Dunbogan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Camden Head vs Dunbogan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camden Head costs $857 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,825 in favour of Camden Head.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Dunbogan carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $7,870 from Camden Head versus $8,570 from Dunbogan.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Camden Head by $157 a year, $5,939 against $6,096.
- Building insurance favours Camden Head by $700 a year, $2,800 against $3,500.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Dunbogan against low in Camden Head, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden Head cumulative | Dunbogan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,409 | $12,266 | $857 |
| Year 3 | $35,264 | $37,913 | $2,649 |
| Year 5 | $60,572 | $65,122 | $4,550 |
| Year 10 | $130,791 | $140,616 | $9,825 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden Head or Dunbogan cheaper to live in?
Camden Head is cheaper to run by car at $11,409 per year versus $12,266 for Dunbogan, a difference of $857 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camden Head and Dunbogan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Camden Head (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Dunbogan (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Camden Head and $1,300 in Dunbogan. 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 Camden Head and Dunbogan?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,939 from Camden Head and $6,096 from Dunbogan to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden Head and $2,400 from Dunbogan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden Head and Dunbogan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden Head costs a cumulative $130,791 and Dunbogan costs $140,616 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,825 in favour of Camden Head. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden Head and Dunbogan 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: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.