Dugandan vs Milford, 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 Milford are both Scenic Rim Regional Council suburbs, sitting 31.3 km and 27.8 km from Beaudesert CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Milford runs $570 a year cheaper than Dugandan, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,534.
Over 10 years, Milford costs about $6,500 less to run than Dugandan. That's about $13 a week.
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Milford
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dugandan | Milford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,659 | $6,339 | +$320 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,659 | $6,339 | +$320 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,650 | $1,400 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,585 | $11,015 | +$570 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,585 | $11,015 | +$570 |
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: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Dugandan | Milford | 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 Milford (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Milford costs $570 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,534 in favour of Milford.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $320 per year. Dugandan is 31.3 km from Beaudesert CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $570 per year, $11,585 from Dugandan versus $11,015 from Milford.
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 Milford by $320 a year, $6,339 against $6,659.
- Building insurance favours Milford by $250 a year, $1,400 against $1,650.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dugandan cumulative | Milford cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,585 | $11,015 | $570 |
| Year 3 | $35,808 | $34,046 | $1,762 |
| Year 5 | $61,506 | $58,480 | $3,026 |
| Year 10 | $132,809 | $126,275 | $6,534 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dugandan or Milford cheaper to live in?
Milford is cheaper to run by car at $11,015 per year versus $11,585 for Dugandan, a difference of $570 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dugandan and Milford?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Dugandan (Scenic Rim Regional Council) and $1,376 in Milford (Scenic Rim Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Dugandan and $1,900 in Milford. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dugandan and Milford?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,659 from Dugandan and $6,339 from Milford to Beaudesert CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dugandan and Milford?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dugandan costs a cumulative $132,809 and Milford costs $126,275 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,534 in favour of Milford. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dugandan and Milford suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.