Dungog vs Fosterton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dungog and Fosterton are both Dungog rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,900, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Fosterton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dungog | Fosterton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,712 | $1,712 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,300 | $1,550 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,589 | $22,839 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,589 | $22,839 | -$250 |
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: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dungog | Fosterton | 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, Dungog vs Fosterton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dungog and Fosterton differ by $250 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $22,589 from Dungog versus $22,839 from Fosterton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,712 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Dungog by $250 a year, $1,300 against $1,550.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Fosterton against low in Dungog, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dungog cumulative | Fosterton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,589 | $22,839 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $69,820 | $70,593 | $773 |
| Year 5 | $119,928 | $121,255 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $258,958 | $261,824 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dungog or Fosterton cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dungog runs $22,589 a year by car and Fosterton $22,839, but most of the $250 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dungog and Fosterton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,712 in Dungog (Dungog rates (OLG) and $1,712 in Fosterton (Dungog rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Dungog and $1,377 in Fosterton. 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 Dungog and Fosterton?
Dungog carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Fosterton carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dungog and Fosterton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dungog costs a cumulative $258,958 and Fosterton costs $261,824 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Dungog. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dungog and Fosterton suits you better?
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Sources: Dungog rates (OLG and Dungog rates (OLG 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.