Clifden vs Warragai Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clifden and Warragai Creek are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, 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.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Warragai Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clifden | Warragai Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,739 | $22,739 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $22,739 | $22,739 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clifden | Warragai Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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, Clifden vs Warragai Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clifden and Warragai Creek 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, $22,739 and $22,739 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,439 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,800 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. On these four costs they are identical.
The catchment state school scores 5.3 in Warragai Creek against 1 in Clifden, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clifden cumulative | Warragai Creek 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 Warragai Creek cheaper to live in?
Clifden is cheaper to run by car at $22,739 per year versus $22,739 for Warragai Creek, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clifden and Warragai Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Clifden (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in Warragai Creek (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Clifden and $1,300 in Warragai Creek. 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 Warragai Creek?
Clifden 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. Warragai Creek 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. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clifden and Warragai Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clifden costs a cumulative $260,677 and Warragai Creek 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 Warragai Creek suits you better?
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: 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.