Clarence vs Dargan: 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 and Dargan are both Lithgow rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 101 km and 99.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dargan runs $13,393 a year cheaper than Clarence, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $153,536.
Over 10 years, Dargan costs about $153,500 less to run than Clarence — the same as paying $153,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Dargan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clarence | Dargan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,186 | $1,186 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $4,207 | +$13,393 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,486 | $9,093 | +$13,393 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,286 | $7,286 | - |
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 | Dargan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,420 | +$134 |
| Unit | $2,020 | $1,920 | +$100 |
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 vs Dargan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dargan costs $13,393 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $153,536 in favour of Dargan.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $13,393 per year. Clarence is 101 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,286 and $7,286 a year, so the $13,393 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clarence cumulative | Dargan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,486 | $9,093 | $13,393 |
| Year 3 | $69,502 | $28,106 | $41,396 |
| Year 5 | $119,381 | $48,276 | $71,105 |
| Year 10 | $257,777 | $104,241 | $153,536 |
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 $9,093 per year versus $22,486 for Clarence, a difference of $13,393 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Clarence and $4,207 from Dargan to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $257,777 and Dargan costs $104,241 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $153,536 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.
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Sources: Lithgow rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.