Clarence vs Dargan: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clarence and Dargan are both Lithgow rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dargan runs $13,850 a year cheaper than Clarence, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $158,775.
Over 10 years, Dargan costs about $158,800 less to run than Clarence — the same as paying $158,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Clarence
Dargan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clarence | Dargan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,186 | $1,186 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $4,350 | +$13,850 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,086 | $9,236 | +$13,850 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,286 | $7,286 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clarence | Dargan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,857 | $2,720 | +$137 |
| Unit | $2,312 | $2,209 | +$103 |
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 — Clarence vs Dargan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dargan costs $13,850 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $158,775 in favour of Dargan.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $13,850 per year. Clarence is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD, so its driving figure is a flat regional allowance of about 20,000 km of household driving a year rather than a commute.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,286 and $7,286 a year, so the $13,850 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,186 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dargan by $13,850 a year, $4,350 against $18,200.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,400 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clarence cumulative | Dargan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,086 | $9,236 | $13,850 |
| Year 3 | $71,357 | $28,548 | $42,809 |
| Year 5 | $122,567 | $49,035 | $73,532 |
| Year 10 | $264,655 | $105,880 | $158,775 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clarence or Dargan cheaper to live in?
Dargan is cheaper to run by car at $9,236 per year versus $23,086 for Clarence, a difference of $13,850 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clarence and Dargan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,186 in Clarence (Lithgow rates (OLG) and $1,186 in Dargan (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Clarence and $1,300 in Dargan. 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 and Dargan?
Clarence carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Dargan is $4,350 a year to drive to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clarence and $2,400 from Dargan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clarence and Dargan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clarence costs a cumulative $264,655 and Dargan costs $105,880 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $158,775 in favour of Dargan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clarence and Dargan 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: Lithgow rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.