Dungog vs Stroud Hill: 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 Stroud Hill are both Dungog rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 170.7 km and 174.4 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 Stroud Hill, 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
Stroud Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dungog | Stroud Hill | 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 | Stroud Hill | 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 Stroud Hill (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 Stroud Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dungog cumulative | Stroud Hill 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 Stroud Hill cheaper to live in?
Dungog is cheaper to run by car at $22,389 per year versus $22,689 for Stroud Hill, 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 Stroud Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,712 in Dungog (Dungog rates (OLG) and $1,712 in Stroud Hill (Dungog rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Dungog and $1,377 in Stroud Hill. 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 Stroud Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Dungog and $17,600 from Stroud Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dungog and $2,400 from Stroud Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dungog and Stroud Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dungog costs a cumulative $256,665 and Stroud Hill 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 Stroud Hill 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.