Duns Creek vs Tocal: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Duns Creek (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and Tocal (Maitland rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (144.1 km and 142.2 km).
Duns Creek runs $805 a year cheaper than Tocal, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,229.
Over 10 years, Duns Creek costs about $9,200 less to run than Tocal — the same as paying $9,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Tocal
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duns Creek | Tocal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,970 | -$555 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,242 | $24,047 | -$805 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,042 | $8,847 | -$805 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Duns Creek | Tocal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Duns Creek vs Tocal (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Duns Creek costs $805 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,229 in favour of Duns Creek.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $555 per year.
On public transport the gap is $805 per year, $8,042 from Duns Creek versus $8,847 from Tocal.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duns Creek cumulative | Tocal cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,242 | $24,047 | $805 |
| Year 3 | $71,839 | $74,327 | $2,488 |
| Year 5 | $123,395 | $127,669 | $4,274 |
| Year 10 | $266,443 | $275,672 | $9,229 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duns Creek or Tocal cheaper to live in?
Duns Creek is cheaper to run by car at $23,242 per year versus $24,047 for Tocal, a difference of $805 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Duns Creek and Tocal?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Duns Creek (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Tocal (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Duns Creek and $1,377 in Tocal. 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 Duns Creek and Tocal?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Duns Creek and $17,600 from Tocal to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Duns Creek and $2,400 from Tocal.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duns Creek and Tocal?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duns Creek costs a cumulative $266,443 and Tocal costs $275,672 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,229 in favour of Duns Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duns Creek and Tocal 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: Port Stephens rates (OLG and Maitland 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.