Dunmore vs Kiama Downs, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dunmore and Kiama Downs are both Shellharbour rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 91.1 km and 91.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $174 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 $2,000, about $4 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Kiama Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dunmore | Kiama Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,865 | $1,865 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,979 | $4,005 | -$26 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $2,100 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,692 | $9,518 | +$174 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,113 | $7,913 | +$200 |
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 | Dunmore | Kiama Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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, Dunmore vs Kiama Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dunmore and Kiama Downs differ by $174 a year by car, but $200 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 $26, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Dunmore carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $8,113 from Dunmore versus $7,913 from Kiama Downs.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,865 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dunmore by $26 a year, $3,979 against $4,005.
- Building insurance favours Kiama Downs by $200 a year, $2,100 against $2,300.
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 medium in Dunmore against low in Kiama Downs, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dunmore cumulative | Kiama Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,692 | $9,518 | $174 |
| Year 3 | $29,957 | $29,419 | $538 |
| Year 5 | $51,456 | $50,532 | $924 |
| Year 10 | $111,108 | $109,113 | $1,995 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunmore or Kiama Downs cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Dunmore runs $9,692 a year by car and Kiama Downs $9,518, but most of the $174 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $26. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dunmore and Kiama Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Dunmore (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,865 in Kiama Downs (Shellharbour rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dunmore and $1,548 in Kiama Downs. 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 Dunmore and Kiama Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,979 from Dunmore and $4,005 from Kiama Downs to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dunmore and $2,400 from Kiama Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dunmore and Kiama Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dunmore costs a cumulative $111,108 and Kiama Downs costs $109,113 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,995 in favour of Kiama Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dunmore and Kiama Downs suits you better?
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Sources: Shellharbour rates (OLG and Shellharbour 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.