Clifton vs Stanwell Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clifton and Stanwell Park are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 48.5 km and 45.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Clifton runs $1,291 a year cheaper than Stanwell Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,800.
Over 10 years, Clifton costs about $14,800 less to run than Stanwell Park — the same as paying $14,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Clifton
Stanwell Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clifton | Stanwell Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,453 | $6,644 | -$191 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $3,650 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,370 | $13,661 | -$1,291 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,317 | $9,417 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clifton | Stanwell Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Clifton vs Stanwell Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clifton costs $1,291 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,800 in favour of Clifton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Stanwell Park carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,317 from Clifton versus $9,417 from Stanwell Park.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clifton cumulative | Stanwell Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,370 | $13,661 | $1,291 |
| Year 3 | $38,234 | $42,225 | $3,991 |
| Year 5 | $65,674 | $72,528 | $6,854 |
| Year 10 | $141,808 | $156,608 | $14,800 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clifton or Stanwell Park cheaper to live in?
Clifton is cheaper to run by car at $12,370 per year versus $13,661 for Stanwell Park, a difference of $1,291 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clifton and Stanwell Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Clifton (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Stanwell Park (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Clifton and $1,548 in Stanwell Park. 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 Stanwell Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,453 from Clifton and $6,644 from Stanwell Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clifton and $2,400 from Stanwell Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clifton and Stanwell Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clifton costs a cumulative $141,808 and Stanwell Park costs $156,608 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,800 in favour of Clifton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clifton and Stanwell Park 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.