Duroby vs North Tumbulgum: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Duroby and North Tumbulgum are both Tweed rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 661.6 km and 659.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $250 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 →Duroby
North Tumbulgum
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duroby | North Tumbulgum | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,799 | $1,799 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,549 | $23,799 | -$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,349 | $8,599 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Duroby | North Tumbulgum | 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 — Duroby vs North Tumbulgum (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Duroby and North Tumbulgum cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. North Tumbulgum carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,349 from Duroby versus $8,599 from North Tumbulgum.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duroby cumulative | North Tumbulgum cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,549 | $23,799 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $72,788 | $73,560 | $772 |
| Year 5 | $125,025 | $126,352 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $269,963 | $272,829 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duroby or North Tumbulgum cheaper to live in?
Duroby is cheaper to run by car at $23,549 per year versus $23,799 for North Tumbulgum, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Duroby and North Tumbulgum?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,799 in Duroby (Tweed rates (OLG) and $1,799 in North Tumbulgum (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Duroby and $1,300 in North Tumbulgum. 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 Duroby and North Tumbulgum?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Duroby and $17,600 from North Tumbulgum to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Duroby and $2,400 from North Tumbulgum.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duroby and North Tumbulgum?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duroby costs a cumulative $269,963 and North Tumbulgum costs $272,829 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Duroby. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duroby and North Tumbulgum 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: Tweed rates (OLG and Tweed 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.