Clovelly vs Tamarama: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clovelly (Randwick rates (OLG) and Tamarama (Waverley rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (7.4 km and 6.7 km).
Tamarama runs $580 a year cheaper than Clovelly, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,649.
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 →Clovelly
Tamarama
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clovelly | Tamarama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,723 | $1,344 | +$379 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,346 | $2,145 | +$201 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,567 | $7,987 | +$580 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,141 | $7,762 | +$379 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clovelly | Tamarama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Clovelly vs Tamarama (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tamarama costs $580 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,649 in favour of Tamarama.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $379 per year.
On public transport the gap is $379 per year, $8,141 from Clovelly versus $7,762 from Tamarama.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Tamarama by $379 a year, $1,344 against $1,723.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tamarama by $201 a year, $2,145 against $2,346.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clovelly cumulative | Tamarama cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,567 | $7,987 | $580 |
| Year 3 | $26,480 | $24,687 | $1,793 |
| Year 5 | $45,483 | $42,404 | $3,079 |
| Year 10 | $98,211 | $91,562 | $6,649 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clovelly or Tamarama cheaper to live in?
Tamarama is cheaper to run by car at $7,987 per year versus $8,567 for Clovelly, a difference of $580 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clovelly and Tamarama?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,723 in Clovelly (Randwick rates (OLG) and $1,344 in Tamarama (Waverley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Clovelly and $1,548 in Tamarama. 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 Clovelly and Tamarama?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,346 from Clovelly and $2,145 from Tamarama to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Clovelly and $1,920 from Tamarama.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clovelly and Tamarama?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clovelly costs a cumulative $98,211 and Tamarama costs $91,562 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,649 in favour of Tamarama. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clovelly and Tamarama 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: Randwick rates (OLG and Waverley 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.