Carlingford vs Oatlands: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carlingford and Oatlands are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 17.9 km and 18.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carlingford runs $543 a year cheaper than Oatlands, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,225.
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
Oatlands
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carlingford | Oatlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,695 | $4,788 | -$93 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,249 | $9,792 | -$543 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,940 | $7,390 | -$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 | Carlingford | Oatlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Carlingford vs Oatlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carlingford costs $543 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,225 in favour of Carlingford.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Oatlands carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $6,940 from Carlingford versus $7,390 from Oatlands.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carlingford cumulative | Oatlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,249 | $9,792 | $543 |
| Year 3 | $28,588 | $30,266 | $1,678 |
| Year 5 | $49,104 | $51,987 | $2,883 |
| Year 10 | $106,029 | $112,254 | $6,225 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carlingford or Oatlands cheaper to live in?
Carlingford is cheaper to run by car at $9,249 per year versus $9,792 for Oatlands, a difference of $543 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carlingford and Oatlands?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Carlingford (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Oatlands (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Carlingford and $1,548 in Oatlands. 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 Oatlands?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,695 from Carlingford and $4,788 from Oatlands to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Carlingford and $2,386 from Oatlands.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carlingford and Oatlands?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carlingford costs a cumulative $106,029 and Oatlands costs $112,254 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,225 in favour of Carlingford. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carlingford and Oatlands 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: Parramatta rates (OLG and Parramatta 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.