Depot Beach vs Durras North, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Depot Beach (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and Durras North (Eurobodalla rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $262 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, Durras North costs about $3,000 less to run than Depot Beach. That's about $6 a week.
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Durras North
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Depot Beach | Durras North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,547 | $1,285 | +$262 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,197 | $22,935 | +$262 |
| Total (public transport) | $23,197 | $22,935 | +$262 |
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 | Depot Beach | Durras North | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $3,115 | -$395 |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,585 | -$376 |
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, Depot Beach vs Durras North (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Depot Beach and Durras North cost within $262 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,004, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $262 per year.
On public transport the gap is $262 per year, $23,197 from Depot Beach versus $22,935 from Durras North.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Durras North by $262 a year, $1,285 against $1,547.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Depot Beach cumulative | Durras North cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,197 | $22,935 | $262 |
| Year 3 | $71,700 | $70,890 | $810 |
| Year 5 | $123,156 | $121,765 | $1,391 |
| Year 10 | $265,928 | $262,924 | $3,004 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Depot Beach or Durras North cheaper to live in?
Durras North is cheaper to run by car at $22,935 per year versus $23,197 for Depot Beach, a difference of $262 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Depot Beach and Durras North?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Depot Beach (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,285 in Durras North (Eurobodalla rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Depot Beach and $1,300 in Durras North. 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 Depot Beach and Durras North?
Depot Beach carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Durras North carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Depot Beach and Durras North?
At 3% annual cost growth, Depot Beach costs a cumulative $265,928 and Durras North costs $262,924 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,004 in favour of Durras North. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Depot Beach and Durras North suits you better?
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Sources: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Eurobodalla 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.