Dunmore vs Minnamurra: 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 (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and Minnamurra (Kiama rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (91.1 km and 90.2 km).
The two sit within $245 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
Minnamurra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dunmore | Minnamurra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,865 | $1,959 | -$94 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,979 | $3,940 | +$39 |
| 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 | $10,247 | +$245 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,913 | $8,707 | +$206 |
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 | Minnamurra | 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 Minnamurra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dunmore and Minnamurra cost within $245 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,809, 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 $206 per year, $8,913 from Dunmore versus $8,707 from Minnamurra.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Dunmore by $94 a year, $1,865 against $1,959.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Minnamurra by $39 a year, $3,940 against $3,979.
- Building insurance favours Minnamurra by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated medium in Dunmore against low in Minnamurra, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dunmore cumulative | Minnamurra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,492 | $10,247 | $245 |
| Year 3 | $32,430 | $31,672 | $758 |
| Year 5 | $55,703 | $54,403 | $1,300 |
| Year 10 | $120,279 | $117,470 | $2,809 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunmore or Minnamurra cheaper to live in?
Minnamurra is cheaper to run by car at $10,247 per year versus $10,492 for Dunmore, a difference of $245 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dunmore and Minnamurra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,865 in Dunmore (Shellharbour rates (OLG) and $1,959 in Minnamurra (Kiama rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dunmore and $1,548 in Minnamurra. 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 Minnamurra?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,979 from Dunmore and $3,940 from Minnamurra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dunmore and $2,400 from Minnamurra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dunmore and Minnamurra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dunmore costs a cumulative $120,279 and Minnamurra costs $117,470 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,809 in favour of Minnamurra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dunmore and Minnamurra 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: Shellharbour rates (OLG and Kiama 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.