Dulong vs Perwillowen, 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 Perwillowen are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 19.4 km and 16.7 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Perwillowen runs $468 a year cheaper than Dulong, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,365.
Over 10 years, Perwillowen costs about $5,400 less to run than Dulong. That's about $10 a week.
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Perwillowen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dulong | Perwillowen | 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 | $4,617 | +$518 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,050 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,000 | $10,532 | +$468 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,057 | $6,107 | -$50 |
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 | Perwillowen | 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 Perwillowen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Perwillowen costs $468 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,365 in favour of Perwillowen.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $518 per year. Dulong is 19.4 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,057 and $6,107 a year, so the $468 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Perwillowen by $518 a year, $4,617 against $5,135.
- Building insurance favours Dulong by $50 a year, $2,000 against $2,050.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.2 in Dulong against 5.6 in Perwillowen, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dulong cumulative | Perwillowen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,000 | $10,532 | $468 |
| Year 3 | $34,000 | $32,553 | $1,447 |
| Year 5 | $58,400 | $55,916 | $2,484 |
| Year 10 | $126,103 | $120,738 | $5,365 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dulong or Perwillowen cheaper to live in?
Perwillowen is cheaper to run by car at $10,532 per year versus $11,000 for Dulong, a difference of $468 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dulong and Perwillowen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Dulong (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Perwillowen (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Dulong and $2,094 in Perwillowen. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Dulong and Perwillowen?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,135 from Dulong and $4,617 from Perwillowen to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Dulong and $192 from Perwillowen.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dulong and Perwillowen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dulong costs a cumulative $126,103 and Perwillowen costs $120,738 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,365 in favour of Perwillowen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dulong and Perwillowen suits you better?
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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.