Clarence Town vs Glen Martin: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clarence Town and Glen Martin are both Dungog rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 152.7 km and 157.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Glen Martin runs $450 a year cheaper than Clarence Town, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,158.
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 →Clarence Town
Glen Martin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clarence Town | Glen Martin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,712 | $1,712 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,400 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,539 | $23,089 | +$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,339 | $7,889 | +$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 | Clarence Town | Glen Martin | 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 — Clarence Town vs Glen Martin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glen Martin costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,158 in favour of Glen Martin.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Clarence Town carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,339 from Clarence Town versus $7,889 from Glen Martin.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clarence Town cumulative | Glen Martin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,539 | $23,089 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $72,757 | $71,366 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $124,972 | $122,583 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $269,848 | $264,690 | $5,158 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clarence Town or Glen Martin cheaper to live in?
Glen Martin is cheaper to run by car at $23,089 per year versus $23,539 for Clarence Town, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clarence Town and Glen Martin?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,712 in Clarence Town (Dungog rates (OLG) and $1,712 in Glen Martin (Dungog rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Clarence Town and $1,377 in Glen Martin. 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 Clarence Town and Glen Martin?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Clarence Town and $17,600 from Glen Martin to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clarence Town and $2,400 from Glen Martin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clarence Town and Glen Martin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clarence Town costs a cumulative $269,848 and Glen Martin costs $264,690 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,158 in favour of Glen Martin. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clarence Town and Glen Martin 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: Dungog rates (OLG and Dungog 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.