Toongi vs Wambangalang: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Toongi and Wambangalang are both Dubbo Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 28.2 km and 31 km from Dubbo CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $196 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 →Toongi
Wambangalang
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Toongi | Wambangalang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,270 | $1,270 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,381 | $6,635 | -$254 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,000 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,401 | $11,205 | +$196 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,420 | $6,970 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Toongi | Wambangalang | 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 — Toongi vs Wambangalang (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Toongi and Wambangalang cost within $196 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,247, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Toongi carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,420 from Toongi versus $6,970 from Wambangalang.
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 Toongi by $254 a year, $6,381 against $6,635.
- Building insurance favours Wambangalang by $450 a year, $2,000 against $2,450.
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 medium in Toongi against low in Wambangalang, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Toongi cumulative | Wambangalang cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,401 | $11,205 | $196 |
| Year 3 | $35,239 | $34,634 | $605 |
| Year 5 | $60,529 | $59,489 | $1,040 |
| Year 10 | $130,700 | $128,453 | $2,247 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Toongi or Wambangalang cheaper to live in?
Wambangalang is cheaper to run by car at $11,205 per year versus $11,401 for Toongi, a difference of $196 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Toongi and Wambangalang?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,270 in Toongi (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG) and $1,270 in Wambangalang (Dubbo Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Toongi and $1,300 in Wambangalang. 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 Toongi and Wambangalang?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,381 from Toongi and $6,635 from Wambangalang to Dubbo CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Toongi and $2,400 from Wambangalang.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Toongi and Wambangalang?
At 3% annual cost growth, Toongi costs a cumulative $130,700 and Wambangalang costs $128,453 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,247 in favour of Wambangalang. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Toongi and Wambangalang 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.