Dunkeld vs Stewarts Mount, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dunkeld and Stewarts Mount are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.8 km and 5.3 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Stewarts Mount runs $1,008 a year cheaper than Dunkeld, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,556.
Over 10 years, Stewarts Mount costs about $11,600 less to run than Dunkeld. That's about $22 a week.
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Stewarts Mount
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dunkeld | Stewarts Mount | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,737 | $1,729 | +$1,008 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,737 | $1,729 | +$1,008 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,928 | $5,920 | +$1,008 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,928 | $5,920 | +$1,008 |
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 | Dunkeld | Stewarts Mount | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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, Dunkeld vs Stewarts Mount (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Stewarts Mount costs $1,008 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,556 in favour of Stewarts Mount.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,008 per year. Dunkeld is 8.8 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $1,008 per year, $6,928 from Dunkeld versus $5,920 from Stewarts Mount.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,341 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Stewarts Mount by $1,008 a year, $1,729 against $2,737.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,550 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dunkeld cumulative | Stewarts Mount cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,928 | $5,920 | $1,008 |
| Year 3 | $21,414 | $18,298 | $3,116 |
| Year 5 | $36,782 | $31,430 | $5,352 |
| Year 10 | $79,422 | $67,866 | $11,556 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunkeld or Stewarts Mount cheaper to live in?
Stewarts Mount is cheaper to run by car at $5,920 per year versus $6,928 for Dunkeld, a difference of $1,008 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dunkeld and Stewarts Mount?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Dunkeld (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Stewarts Mount (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Dunkeld and $1,300 in Stewarts Mount. 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 Dunkeld and Stewarts Mount?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,737 from Dunkeld and $1,729 from Stewarts Mount to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dunkeld and Stewarts Mount?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dunkeld costs a cumulative $79,422 and Stewarts Mount costs $67,866 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,556 in favour of Stewarts Mount. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dunkeld and Stewarts Mount suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Bathurst Regional rates (OLG and Bathurst Regional 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.