Dulong vs Mapleton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dulong and Mapleton are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 19.4 km and 23.1 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dulong runs $806 a year cheaper than Mapleton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,240.
Over 10 years, Dulong costs about $9,200 less to run than Mapleton. That's about $18 a week.
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 →Dulong
Mapleton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dulong | Mapleton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,135 | $5,741 | -$606 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,000 | $11,806 | -$806 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,057 | $6,257 | -$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: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Dulong | Mapleton | 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, Dulong vs Mapleton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dulong costs $806 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,240 in favour of Dulong.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $606 per year. Mapleton is 23.1 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $6,057 from Dulong versus $6,257 from Mapleton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,771 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,094 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dulong by $606 a year, $5,135 against $5,741.
- Building insurance favours Dulong by $200 a year, $2,000 against $2,200.
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 | Dulong cumulative | Mapleton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,000 | $11,806 | $806 |
| Year 3 | $34,000 | $36,491 | $2,491 |
| Year 5 | $58,400 | $62,680 | $4,280 |
| Year 10 | $126,103 | $135,343 | $9,240 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dulong or Mapleton cheaper to live in?
Dulong is cheaper to run by car at $11,000 per year versus $11,806 for Mapleton, a difference of $806 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dulong and Mapleton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Dulong (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Mapleton (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Dulong and $2,094 in Mapleton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dulong and Mapleton?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,135 from Dulong and $5,741 from Mapleton to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dulong and $192 from Mapleton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dulong and Mapleton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dulong costs a cumulative $126,103 and Mapleton costs $135,343 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,240 in favour of Dulong. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dulong and Mapleton 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast 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.