Duckmaloi vs The Meadows: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Duckmaloi and The Meadows are both Oberon rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 116.7 km and 120 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Duckmaloi runs $400 a year cheaper than The Meadows, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Duckmaloi
The Meadows
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duckmaloi | The Meadows | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,007 | $1,007 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,907 | $22,307 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,707 | $7,107 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Duckmaloi | The Meadows | 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 — Duckmaloi vs The Meadows (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Duckmaloi costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Duckmaloi.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,707 from Duckmaloi versus $7,107 from The Meadows.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duckmaloi cumulative | The Meadows cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,907 | $22,307 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $67,712 | $68,949 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $116,307 | $118,431 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $251,139 | $255,725 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duckmaloi or The Meadows cheaper to live in?
Duckmaloi is cheaper to run by car at $21,907 per year versus $22,307 for The Meadows, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Duckmaloi and The Meadows?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,007 in Duckmaloi (Oberon rates (OLG) and $1,007 in The Meadows (Oberon rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Duckmaloi and $1,300 in The Meadows. 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 Duckmaloi and The Meadows?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Duckmaloi and $17,600 from The Meadows to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Duckmaloi and $2,400 from The Meadows.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duckmaloi and The Meadows?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duckmaloi costs a cumulative $251,139 and The Meadows costs $255,725 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Duckmaloi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duckmaloi and The Meadows 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: Oberon rates (OLG and Oberon 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.