Clifton vs Scarborough: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clifton and Scarborough are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 48.5 km and 49.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Clifton runs $337 a year cheaper than Scarborough, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,864.
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 →Clifton
Scarborough
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clifton | Scarborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,673 | $6,560 | +$113 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $3,000 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,590 | $12,927 | -$337 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,317 | $8,767 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clifton | Scarborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Clifton vs Scarborough (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clifton costs $337 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,864 in favour of Clifton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Scarborough carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $8,317 from Clifton versus $8,767 from Scarborough.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Scarborough by $113 a year, $6,560 against $6,673.
- Building insurance favours Clifton by $450 a year, $2,550 against $3,000.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Scarborough against low in Clifton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clifton cumulative | Scarborough cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,590 | $12,927 | $337 |
| Year 3 | $38,914 | $39,956 | $1,042 |
| Year 5 | $66,842 | $68,631 | $1,789 |
| Year 10 | $144,330 | $148,194 | $3,864 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clifton or Scarborough cheaper to live in?
Clifton is cheaper to run by car at $12,590 per year versus $12,927 for Scarborough, a difference of $337 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clifton and Scarborough?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Clifton (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Scarborough (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Clifton and $1,548 in Scarborough. 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 Clifton and Scarborough?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,673 from Clifton and $6,560 from Scarborough to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clifton and $2,400 from Scarborough.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clifton and Scarborough?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clifton costs a cumulative $144,330 and Scarborough costs $148,194 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,864 in favour of Clifton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clifton and Scarborough 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong 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.