Dombarton vs Horsley, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dombarton and Horsley are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 77.1 km and 79.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $96 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.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Dombarton
Horsley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dombarton | Horsley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,368 | $3,472 | -$104 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $1,600 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,535 | $8,439 | +$96 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,567 | $7,367 | +$200 |
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 | Dombarton | Horsley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Dombarton vs Horsley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dombarton and Horsley cost within $96 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,100, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,567 from Dombarton versus $7,367 from Horsley.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dombarton by $104 a year, $3,368 against $3,472.
- Building insurance favours Horsley by $200 a year, $1,600 against $1,800.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Horsley against low in Dombarton, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Dombarton against low in Horsley, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dombarton cumulative | Horsley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,535 | $8,439 | $96 |
| Year 3 | $26,381 | $26,084 | $297 |
| Year 5 | $45,313 | $44,804 | $509 |
| Year 10 | $97,844 | $96,744 | $1,100 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dombarton or Horsley cheaper to live in?
Horsley is cheaper to run by car at $8,439 per year versus $8,535 for Dombarton, a difference of $96 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dombarton and Horsley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Dombarton (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Horsley (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dombarton and $1,548 in Horsley. 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 Dombarton and Horsley?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,368 from Dombarton and $3,472 from Horsley to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dombarton and $2,400 from Horsley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dombarton and Horsley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dombarton costs a cumulative $97,844 and Horsley costs $96,744 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,100 in favour of Horsley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dombarton and Horsley suits you better?
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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.