Coomealla vs Dareton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coomealla and Dareton are both Wentworth rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dareton runs $300 a year cheaper than Coomealla, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Coomealla
Dareton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coomealla | Dareton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $920 | $920 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,520 | $23,220 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,720 | $7,420 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Coomealla | Dareton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Coomealla vs Dareton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dareton costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Dareton.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Coomealla carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,720 from Coomealla versus $7,420 from Dareton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $920 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Dareton by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Coomealla against low in Dareton, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coomealla cumulative | Dareton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,520 | $23,220 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $72,698 | $71,771 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $124,871 | $123,278 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $269,630 | $266,191 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coomealla or Dareton cheaper to live in?
Dareton is cheaper to run by car at $23,220 per year versus $23,520 for Coomealla, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coomealla and Dareton?
Annual council rates for a house are $920 in Coomealla (Wentworth rates (OLG) and $920 in Dareton (Wentworth rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Coomealla and $1,300 in Dareton. 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 Coomealla and Dareton?
Coomealla 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. Dareton 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. Public transport costs $2,400 from Coomealla and $2,400 from Dareton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coomealla and Dareton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coomealla costs a cumulative $269,630 and Dareton costs $266,191 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Dareton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coomealla and Dareton 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.
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Sources: Wentworth rates (OLG and Wentworth 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.