Dunbogan vs Laurieton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dunbogan and Laurieton are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 25.7 km and 25.2 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Laurieton runs $464 a year cheaper than Dunbogan, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,319.
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 →Dunbogan
Laurieton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dunbogan | Laurieton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,096 | $6,032 | +$64 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,266 | $11,802 | +$464 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,570 | $8,170 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dunbogan | Laurieton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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 — Dunbogan vs Laurieton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Laurieton costs $464 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,319 in favour of Laurieton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Dunbogan carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,570 from Dunbogan versus $8,170 from Laurieton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Laurieton by $64 a year, $6,032 against $6,096.
- Building insurance favours Laurieton by $400 a year, $3,100 against $3,500.
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 Dunbogan against medium in Laurieton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dunbogan cumulative | Laurieton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,266 | $11,802 | $464 |
| Year 3 | $37,913 | $36,479 | $1,434 |
| Year 5 | $65,122 | $62,658 | $2,464 |
| Year 10 | $140,616 | $135,297 | $5,319 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunbogan or Laurieton cheaper to live in?
Laurieton is cheaper to run by car at $11,802 per year versus $12,266 for Dunbogan, a difference of $464 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dunbogan and Laurieton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Dunbogan (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Laurieton (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Dunbogan and $1,300 in Laurieton. 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 Dunbogan and Laurieton?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,096 from Dunbogan and $6,032 from Laurieton to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dunbogan and $2,400 from Laurieton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dunbogan and Laurieton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dunbogan costs a cumulative $140,616 and Laurieton costs $135,297 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,319 in favour of Laurieton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dunbogan and Laurieton 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: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG 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.