Clydesdale vs Fern Gully: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clydesdale and Fern Gully are both Singleton rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 144.3 km and 146.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $50 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. 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 →Clydesdale
Fern Gully
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clydesdale | Fern Gully | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $2,400 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,691 | $22,641 | +$50 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,491 | $7,441 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clydesdale | Fern Gully | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Clydesdale vs Fern Gully (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clydesdale and Fern Gully cost within $50 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $573, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Clydesdale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,491 and $7,441 a year, so the $50 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clydesdale cumulative | Fern Gully cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,691 | $22,641 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $70,136 | $69,981 | $155 |
| Year 5 | $120,470 | $120,204 | $266 |
| Year 10 | $260,127 | $259,554 | $573 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clydesdale or Fern Gully cheaper to live in?
Fern Gully is cheaper to run by car at $22,641 per year versus $22,691 for Clydesdale, a difference of $50 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clydesdale and Fern Gully?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Clydesdale (Singleton rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Fern Gully (Singleton rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Clydesdale and $1,300 in Fern Gully. 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 Clydesdale and Fern Gully?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Clydesdale and $17,600 from Fern Gully to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clydesdale and $2,400 from Fern Gully.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clydesdale and Fern Gully?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clydesdale costs a cumulative $260,127 and Fern Gully costs $259,554 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $573 in favour of Fern Gully. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clydesdale and Fern Gully 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: Singleton rates (OLG and Singleton 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.