Clifden vs The Pinnacles: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clifden and The Pinnacles are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 509.7 km and 506.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Clifden
The Pinnacles
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clifden | The Pinnacles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,739 | $22,739 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,539 | $7,539 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clifden | The Pinnacles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Clifden vs The Pinnacles (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clifden and The Pinnacles cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,539 and $7,539 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clifden cumulative | The Pinnacles cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,739 | $22,739 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $70,284 | $70,284 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $120,724 | $120,724 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $260,677 | $260,677 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clifden or The Pinnacles cheaper to live in?
Clifden is cheaper to run by car at $22,739 per year versus $22,739 for The Pinnacles, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clifden and The Pinnacles?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Clifden (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in The Pinnacles (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Clifden and $1,300 in The Pinnacles. 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 Clifden and The Pinnacles?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Clifden and $17,600 from The Pinnacles to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clifden and $2,400 from The Pinnacles.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clifden and The Pinnacles?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clifden costs a cumulative $260,677 and The Pinnacles costs $260,677 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Clifden. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clifden and The Pinnacles 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: Clarence Valley rates (OLG and Clarence Valley 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.