Dungog vs Fosterton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dungog and Fosterton are both Dungog rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 170.7 km and 175.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dungog runs $300 a year cheaper than Fosterton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Dungog
Fosterton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dungog | Fosterton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,712 | $1,712 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,000 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,389 | $22,689 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,189 | $7,489 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dungog | Fosterton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Dungog.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,189 from Dungog versus $7,489 from Fosterton.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dungog cumulative | Fosterton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,389 | $22,689 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $69,202 | $70,129 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $118,866 | $120,459 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $256,665 | $260,104 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dungog or Fosterton cheaper to live in?
Dungog is cheaper to run by car at $22,389 per year versus $22,689 for Fosterton, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. 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?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Dungog and $17,600 from Fosterton to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dungog and $2,400 from Fosterton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dungog and Fosterton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dungog costs a cumulative $256,665 and Fosterton costs $260,104 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Dungog. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dungog and Fosterton 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: Dungog rates (OLG and Dungog rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.