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 $274 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 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 →Dunmore
Kiama Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dunmore | Kiama Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,865 | $1,865 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,979 | $4,005 | -$26 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,492 | $10,218 | +$274 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,913 | $8,613 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 cost within $274 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,141, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Dunmore carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,913 from Dunmore versus $8,613 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 $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 | $10,492 | $10,218 | $274 |
| Year 3 | $32,430 | $31,583 | $847 |
| Year 5 | $55,703 | $54,249 | $1,454 |
| Year 10 | $120,279 | $117,138 | $3,141 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunmore or Kiama Downs cheaper to live in?
Kiama Downs is cheaper to run by car at $10,218 per year versus $10,492 for Dunmore, a difference of $274 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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 $120,279 and Kiama Downs costs $117,138 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,141 in favour of Kiama Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dunmore and Kiama Downs 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.