Compare suburbs Suburbs Council rates Cost of living calculator Electricity calculator About Data studies For agents and brokers
Map of Dalby
81.7 km from Toowoomba CBD
Home  ·  Suburbs  ·  Dalby

True annual cost of living in Dalby, QLD 4405

Living in a house in Dalby costs about $9,457 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Dalby sits 81.7 kilometres from Toowoomba CBD. Unit costs come in at $9,107, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,600 body corporate levy. The commute is costed by car to Toowoomba, at $3,569 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.

Last updated July 2026 · Western Downs Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 73% of Western Downs Regional Council suburbs, about 47% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $3,569, roughly 38% of the annual total.
The nearest state school scores 4.5/10 (ACARA ICSEA), below average for Queensland.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$9,457
Driving · per year
$788/month
About $182 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$9,107
Incl. body corporate
$759/month
About $175 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$350
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Western Downs Regional Council
$1,250
Water & sewerage
Estimated Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage, standing in
$2,188
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 81.7km from Toowoomba CBD · 192 days
$3,569
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Low
$2,450
Total annual running cost
$9,457
($788/month, $182/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Management Levy on your rates notice, $152 a year here (levy class C, 2026-27).

↓ 47% below Western Downs Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 7.6/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 73% of Western Downs Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,373/yr
5,933 kWh
Unit
$1,945/yr
4,450 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Dalby's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Dalby

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Dalby, 3,098 m away, about a 39 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Dalby Health Services, 2,236 m away, about a 28 minute walk.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-11-03. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

Compare Dalby with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Dalby

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Dalby to Toowoomba CBD?

Public transport options are limited in Dalby; driving is the practical commute at $3,569 per year.

What are the council rates in Dalby?

Dalby falls under Western Downs Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,250 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,250 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges. Water and sewerage on this page is Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27's charge, standing in until this council's own schedule is loaded.

What does it cost to run a unit in Dalby?

Running a unit in Dalby costs approximately $9,107 per year by car or $9,107 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,250, water and sewerage $2,188, estimated body corporate levy of $1,600, and contents insurance of $500. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Dalby close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Dalby is Dalby, a train stop about 3,098 m away, about a 39 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Dalby?

The closest hospital to the centre of Dalby is Dalby Health Services, about 2,236 m away, about a 28 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Dalby?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Dalby there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

Compare up to five suburbs.

Get a free report on one suburb, or compare up to five. The report is free to you. SuburbCost may receive a referral fee from a mortgage broker if you ask us to introduce you.

Included:
Annual cost breakdown
10-year cost projection
School scores & catchments
Flood & fire risk ratings
Crime risk ratings
AI suburb recommendations
Up to 5 suburbs, side by side
I'm looking at a
Your suburb shortlist
When are you planning to buy or move?
We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opening your report…
Your report is opening in a new tab. A copy is on its way to your inbox. If it isn't there within a minute, check your junk folder and mark it ‘Not junk’.
Data sources: Council rates: Western Downs Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data last verified September 2026.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.