Carrick vs Towrang: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carrick and Towrang are both Goulburn Mulwaree rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 153.9 km and 157.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Carrick runs $400 a year cheaper than Towrang, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Carrick
Towrang
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carrick | Towrang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,433 | $1,433 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,333 | $22,733 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,133 | $7,533 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Carrick | Towrang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Carrick vs Towrang (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carrick costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Carrick.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,133 from Carrick versus $7,533 from Towrang.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carrick cumulative | Towrang cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,333 | $22,733 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $69,029 | $70,265 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $118,569 | $120,693 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $256,023 | $260,608 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carrick or Towrang cheaper to live in?
Carrick is cheaper to run by car at $22,333 per year versus $22,733 for Towrang, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carrick and Towrang?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,433 in Carrick (Goulburn Mulwaree rates (OLG) and $1,433 in Towrang (Goulburn Mulwaree rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Carrick and $1,300 in Towrang. 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 Carrick and Towrang?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Carrick and $17,600 from Towrang to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Carrick and $2,400 from Towrang.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carrick and Towrang?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carrick costs a cumulative $256,023 and Towrang costs $260,608 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Carrick. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carrick and Towrang 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: Goulburn Mulwaree rates (OLG and Goulburn Mulwaree 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.