Carlingford vs Dundas Valley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carlingford and Dundas Valley are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 17.9 km and 16.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $217 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 →Carlingford
Dundas Valley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carlingford | Dundas Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,855 | $4,638 | +$217 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,409 | $9,192 | +$217 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,940 | $6,940 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Carlingford | Dundas Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Carlingford vs Dundas Valley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carlingford and Dundas Valley cost within $217 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,488, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $217 per year. Carlingford is 17.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,940 and $6,940 a year, so the $217 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,156 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dundas Valley by $217 a year, $4,638 against $4,855.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 8.7 in Carlingford against 7 in Dundas Valley, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carlingford cumulative | Dundas Valley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,409 | $9,192 | $217 |
| Year 3 | $29,082 | $28,412 | $670 |
| Year 5 | $49,954 | $48,802 | $1,152 |
| Year 10 | $107,864 | $105,376 | $2,488 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carlingford or Dundas Valley cheaper to live in?
Dundas Valley is cheaper to run by car at $9,192 per year versus $9,409 for Carlingford, a difference of $217 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carlingford and Dundas Valley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Carlingford (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Dundas Valley (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Carlingford and $1,548 in Dundas Valley. 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 Carlingford and Dundas Valley?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,855 from Carlingford and $4,638 from Dundas Valley to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Carlingford and $2,386 from Dundas Valley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carlingford and Dundas Valley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carlingford costs a cumulative $107,864 and Dundas Valley costs $105,376 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,488 in favour of Dundas Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carlingford and Dundas Valley 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.
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Sources: Parramatta rates (OLG and Parramatta 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.