Depot Beach vs South Durras: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Depot Beach (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and South Durras (Eurobodalla rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (212.1 km and 215.8 km).
Depot Beach runs $388 a year cheaper than South Durras, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,448.
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 →Depot Beach
South Durras
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Depot Beach | South Durras | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,285 | +$262 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,500 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,297 | $23,685 | -$388 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,097 | $8,485 | -$388 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Depot Beach | South Durras | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Depot Beach vs South Durras (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Depot Beach costs $388 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,448 in favour of Depot Beach.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. South Durras carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $388 per year, $8,097 from Depot Beach versus $8,485 from South Durras.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Depot Beach cumulative | South Durras cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,297 | $23,685 | $388 |
| Year 3 | $72,009 | $73,208 | $1,199 |
| Year 5 | $123,687 | $125,747 | $2,060 |
| Year 10 | $267,074 | $271,522 | $4,448 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Depot Beach or South Durras cheaper to live in?
Depot Beach is cheaper to run by car at $23,297 per year versus $23,685 for South Durras, a difference of $388 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Depot Beach and South Durras?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Depot Beach (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,285 in South Durras (Eurobodalla rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Depot Beach and $1,300 in South Durras. 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 South Durras?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Depot Beach and $17,600 from South Durras to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Depot Beach and $2,400 from South Durras.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Depot Beach and South Durras?
At 3% annual cost growth, Depot Beach costs a cumulative $267,074 and South Durras costs $271,522 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,448 in favour of Depot Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Depot Beach and South Durras 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: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Eurobodalla 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.