Clarendon vs Richmond: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clarendon and Richmond are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 47.6 km and 51.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Richmond runs $305 a year cheaper than Clarendon, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,497.
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 →Clarendon
Richmond
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clarendon | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,514 | $6,209 | +$305 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,160 | $12,855 | +$305 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $9,046 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clarendon | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Clarendon vs Richmond (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Richmond costs $305 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,497 in favour of Richmond.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $305 per year. Richmond is 51.4 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, $9,046 and $9,046 a year, so the $305 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clarendon cumulative | Richmond cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,160 | $12,855 | $305 |
| Year 3 | $40,676 | $39,734 | $942 |
| Year 5 | $69,868 | $68,249 | $1,619 |
| Year 10 | $150,865 | $147,368 | $3,497 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clarendon or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Richmond is cheaper to run by car at $12,855 per year versus $13,160 for Clarendon, a difference of $305 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clarendon and Richmond?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Clarendon (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in Richmond (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Clarendon and $1,548 in Richmond. 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 Clarendon and Richmond?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,514 from Clarendon and $6,209 from Richmond to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clarendon and $2,400 from Richmond.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clarendon and Richmond?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clarendon costs a cumulative $150,865 and Richmond costs $147,368 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,497 in favour of Richmond. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clarendon and Richmond 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: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 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.