Carlingford vs Oatlands: 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 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 $546 a year cheaper than Oatlands, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,259.
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) | $4,855 | $4,951 | -$96 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,300 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,409 | $9,955 | -$546 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,940 | $7,390 | -$450 |
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 | Oatlands | 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 Oatlands (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carlingford costs $546 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,259 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.
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 Carlingford by $96 a year, $4,855 against $4,951.
- Building insurance favours Carlingford by $450 a year, $1,850 against $2,300.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Oatlands against low in Carlingford, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carlingford cumulative | Oatlands cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,409 | $9,955 | $546 |
| Year 3 | $29,082 | $30,770 | $1,688 |
| Year 5 | $49,954 | $52,852 | $2,898 |
| Year 10 | $107,864 | $114,123 | $6,259 |
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 $9,409 per year versus $9,955 for Oatlands, a difference of $546 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $4,855 from Carlingford and $4,951 from Oatlands to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $107,864 and Oatlands costs $114,123 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,259 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.