Duval vs Tilbuster: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Duval and Tilbuster are both Armidale Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tilbuster runs $400 a year cheaper than Duval, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Duval
Tilbuster
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Duval | Tilbuster | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,524 | $1,524 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,424 | $23,024 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,624 | $7,224 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Duval | Tilbuster | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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 — Duval vs Tilbuster (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tilbuster costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Tilbuster.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,624 from Duval versus $7,224 from Tilbuster.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,524 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Tilbuster by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Duval against medium in Tilbuster, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Duval cumulative | Tilbuster cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,424 | $23,024 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,401 | $71,165 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $124,361 | $122,238 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $268,530 | $263,944 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duval or Tilbuster cheaper to live in?
Tilbuster is cheaper to run by car at $23,024 per year versus $23,424 for Duval, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Duval and Tilbuster?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,524 in Duval (Armidale Regional rates (OLG) and $1,524 in Tilbuster (Armidale Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Duval and $1,300 in Tilbuster. 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 Duval and Tilbuster?
Duval carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Tilbuster carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Duval and $2,400 from Tilbuster.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Duval and Tilbuster?
At 3% annual cost growth, Duval costs a cumulative $268,530 and Tilbuster costs $263,944 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Tilbuster. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Duval and Tilbuster 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: Armidale Regional rates (OLG and Armidale Regional 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.