Dunoon vs Whian Whian: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dunoon and Whian Whian are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 613.1 km and 617.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dunoon runs $400 a year cheaper than Whian Whian, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Dunoon
Whian Whian
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dunoon | Whian Whian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,534 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,434 | $22,834 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,634 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dunoon | Whian Whian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Dunoon vs Whian Whian (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dunoon costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Dunoon.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,234 from Dunoon versus $7,634 from Whian Whian.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dunoon cumulative | Whian Whian cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,434 | $22,834 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $69,341 | $70,578 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $119,105 | $121,229 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $257,181 | $261,766 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunoon or Whian Whian cheaper to live in?
Dunoon is cheaper to run by car at $22,434 per year versus $22,834 for Whian Whian, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dunoon and Whian Whian?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Dunoon (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Whian Whian (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Dunoon and $1,300 in Whian Whian. 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 Dunoon and Whian Whian?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Dunoon and $17,600 from Whian Whian to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dunoon and $2,400 from Whian Whian.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dunoon and Whian Whian?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dunoon costs a cumulative $257,181 and Whian Whian costs $261,766 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Dunoon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dunoon and Whian Whian 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Lismore 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.