Dairy Arm vs Murrays Run: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dairy Arm and Murrays Run are both Cessnock rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 91.3 km and 86.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $203 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 →Dairy Arm
Murrays Run
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dairy Arm | Murrays Run | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,458 | $1,458 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,857 | $3,654 | +$203 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,092 | $8,889 | +$203 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,635 | $7,635 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dairy Arm | Murrays Run | 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 — Dairy Arm vs Murrays Run (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dairy Arm and Murrays Run cost within $203 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,328, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $203 per year. Dairy Arm is 91.3 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,635 and $7,635 a year, so the $203 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dairy Arm cumulative | Murrays Run cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,092 | $8,889 | $203 |
| Year 3 | $28,102 | $27,475 | $627 |
| Year 5 | $48,271 | $47,193 | $1,078 |
| Year 10 | $104,230 | $101,902 | $2,328 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dairy Arm or Murrays Run cheaper to live in?
Murrays Run is cheaper to run by car at $8,889 per year versus $9,092 for Dairy Arm, a difference of $203 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dairy Arm and Murrays Run?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,458 in Dairy Arm (Cessnock rates (OLG) and $1,458 in Murrays Run (Cessnock rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Dairy Arm and $1,377 in Murrays Run. 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 Dairy Arm and Murrays Run?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,857 from Dairy Arm and $3,654 from Murrays Run to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dairy Arm and $2,400 from Murrays Run.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dairy Arm and Murrays Run?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dairy Arm costs a cumulative $104,230 and Murrays Run costs $101,902 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,328 in favour of Murrays Run. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dairy Arm and Murrays Run 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: Cessnock rates (OLG and Cessnock 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.