Dairymans Plains vs Wambrook: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dairymans Plains and Wambrook are both Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 325.5 km and 326.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Dairymans Plains
Wambrook
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dairymans Plains | Wambrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,306 | $1,306 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,206 | $22,206 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,006 | $7,006 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dairymans Plains | Wambrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Dairymans Plains vs Wambrook (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dairymans Plains and Wambrook cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,006 and $7,006 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dairymans Plains cumulative | Wambrook cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,206 | $22,206 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,637 | $68,637 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $117,895 | $117,895 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $254,567 | $254,567 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dairymans Plains or Wambrook cheaper to live in?
Dairymans Plains is cheaper to run by car at $22,206 per year versus $22,206 for Wambrook, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dairymans Plains and Wambrook?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,306 in Dairymans Plains (Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG) and $1,306 in Wambrook (Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Dairymans Plains and $1,300 in Wambrook. 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 Dairymans Plains and Wambrook?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Dairymans Plains and $17,600 from Wambrook to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dairymans Plains and $2,400 from Wambrook.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dairymans Plains and Wambrook?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dairymans Plains costs a cumulative $254,567 and Wambrook costs $254,567 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Dairymans Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dairymans Plains and Wambrook 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.
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Sources: Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG and Snowy Monaro Regional 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.