Montefiores vs Wellington: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Montefiores and Wellington are both Dubbo Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 44 km and 46.9 km from Dubbo CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wellington runs $788 a year cheaper than Montefiores, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,034.
Over 10 years, Wellington costs about $9,000 less to run than Montefiores — the same as paying $9,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Montefiores
Wellington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Montefiores | Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,270 | $1,270 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,919 | $6,781 | +$138 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,450 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,589 | $11,801 | +$788 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,070 | $7,420 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Montefiores | Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Montefiores vs Wellington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wellington costs $788 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,034 in favour of Wellington.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Montefiores carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,070 from Montefiores versus $7,420 from Wellington.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,270 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Wellington by $138 a year, $6,781 against $6,919.
- Building insurance favours Wellington by $650 a year, $2,450 against $3,100.
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 commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Montefiores against medium in Wellington, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Montefiores cumulative | Wellington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,589 | $11,801 | $788 |
| Year 3 | $38,911 | $36,476 | $2,435 |
| Year 5 | $66,837 | $62,653 | $4,184 |
| Year 10 | $144,319 | $135,285 | $9,034 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montefiores or Wellington cheaper to live in?
Wellington is cheaper to run by car at $11,801 per year versus $12,589 for Montefiores, a difference of $788 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Montefiores and Wellington?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,270 in Montefiores (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG) and $1,270 in Wellington (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Montefiores and $1,300 in Wellington. 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 Montefiores and Wellington?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,919 from Montefiores and $6,781 from Wellington to Dubbo CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Montefiores and $2,400 from Wellington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Montefiores and Wellington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Montefiores costs a cumulative $144,319 and Wellington costs $135,285 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,034 in favour of Wellington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Montefiores and Wellington 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: Dubbo Regional rates (OLG and Dubbo 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.