Dugandan vs Frenches Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dugandan and Frenches Creek are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 31.3 km and 35.2 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dugandan runs $1,229 a year cheaper than Frenches Creek, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,089.
Over 10 years, Dugandan costs about $14,100 less to run than Frenches Creek — the same as paying $14,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Dugandan
Frenches Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dugandan | Frenches Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,659 | $6,888 | -$229 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $3,400 | -$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,400 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $12,335 | $13,564 | -$1,229 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,868 | $6,868 | -$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Dugandan | Frenches Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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 — Dugandan vs Frenches Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dugandan costs $1,229 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,089 in favour of Dugandan.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $5,868 from Dugandan versus $6,868 from Frenches Creek.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dugandan by $229 a year, $6,659 against $6,888.
- Building insurance favours Dugandan by $1,000 a year, $2,400 against $3,400.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Frenches Creek against medium in Dugandan, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dugandan cumulative | Frenches Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,335 | $13,564 | $1,229 |
| Year 3 | $38,126 | $41,925 | $3,799 |
| Year 5 | $65,488 | $72,013 | $6,525 |
| Year 10 | $141,407 | $155,496 | $14,089 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dugandan or Frenches Creek cheaper to live in?
Dugandan is cheaper to run by car at $12,335 per year versus $13,564 for Frenches Creek, a difference of $1,229 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dugandan and Frenches Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Dugandan (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Frenches Creek (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Dugandan and $1,900 in Frenches Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dugandan and Frenches Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,659 from Dugandan and $6,888 from Frenches Creek to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dugandan and $192 from Frenches Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dugandan and Frenches Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dugandan costs a cumulative $141,407 and Frenches Creek costs $155,496 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,089 in favour of Dugandan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dugandan and Frenches Creek 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: Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.