Allawah vs Carlton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Allawah and Carlton are both Georges River rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.5 km and 14 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Allawah runs $341 a year cheaper than Carlton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,909.
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 →Allawah
Carlton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Allawah | Carlton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,447 | $1,447 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,012 | $3,903 | +$109 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,857 | $9,198 | -$341 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,231 | $7,681 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Allawah | Carlton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Allawah vs Carlton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Allawah costs $341 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,909 in favour of Allawah.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Carlton carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,231 from Allawah versus $7,681 from Carlton.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Allawah cumulative | Carlton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,857 | $9,198 | $341 |
| Year 3 | $27,376 | $28,430 | $1,054 |
| Year 5 | $47,023 | $48,833 | $1,810 |
| Year 10 | $101,536 | $105,445 | $3,909 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Allawah or Carlton cheaper to live in?
Allawah is cheaper to run by car at $8,857 per year versus $9,198 for Carlton, a difference of $341 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Allawah and Carlton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,447 in Allawah (Georges River rates (OLG) and $1,447 in Carlton (Georges River rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Allawah and $1,548 in Carlton. 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 Allawah and Carlton?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,012 from Allawah and $3,903 from Carlton to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Allawah and $2,386 from Carlton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Allawah and Carlton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Allawah costs a cumulative $101,536 and Carlton costs $105,445 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,909 in favour of Allawah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Allawah and Carlton 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: Georges River rates (OLG and Georges River rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.