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79.2 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Dapto, NSW 2530

Living in a house in Dapto costs about $8,976 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Dapto sits 79.2 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs reach $9,116, with the $1,800 body corporate levy accounting for the entire difference between the two. At 79.2km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $1,059 more per year than public transport users.

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

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 82% of Wollongong suburbs, about 13% below the regional average.
The commute is the biggest expense at $3,459, roughly 39% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $1,059 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
Lower cost
House annual cost
$8,976
Driving · per year
$748/month
Unit annual cost
$9,116
Incl. body corporate
$760/month
House vs unit difference
+$140
Unit costs more per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Wollongong rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,819
Water & sewerage
Sydney Water 2026-27
$1,548
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 79.2km from CBD · 192 days
$3,459
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire Low
$2,150
Total annual running cost
$8,976
($748/month)
↓ 13% below Wollongong average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.9/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 82% of Wollongong suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,442/yr
5,238 kWh
Unit
$2,001/yr
3,929 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Dapto'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 Dapto

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Dapto, 372 m away, about a 5 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Supermarkets
6
Cafes
3
Parks
20
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. 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.

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Frequently asked questions about Dapto

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Dapto to the CBD?

Public transport saves Dapto residents $1,059 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,459 versus $2,400 by public transport using the Opal network.

What are the council rates in Dapto?

Dapto falls under Wollongong Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,819 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,819 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Dapto?

Running a unit in Dapto costs approximately $9,116 per year by car or $8,057 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,819, water and sewerage $1,548, estimated body corporate levy of $1,800, and contents insurance of $490. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Dapto close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Dapto is Dapto, a train stop about 372 m away, about a 5 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 shops and parks are in Dapto?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Dapto there are 6 supermarkets, 3 cafes and 20 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Wollongong rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Sydney Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.