Curlwaa vs Dareton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Curlwaa and Dareton are both Wentworth rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 849.2 km and 846.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dareton runs $300 a year cheaper than Curlwaa, 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 →Curlwaa
Dareton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Curlwaa | Dareton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $920 | $920 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,920 | $22,620 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,720 | $7,420 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Curlwaa | Dareton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,453 | $2,453 | - |
| Unit | $1,944 | $1,944 | - |
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 — Curlwaa 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. Curlwaa carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,720 from Curlwaa versus $7,420 from Dareton.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Curlwaa cumulative | Dareton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,920 | $22,620 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $70,843 | $69,916 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $121,685 | $120,093 | $1,592 |
| Year 10 | $262,752 | $259,313 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Curlwaa or Dareton cheaper to live in?
Dareton is cheaper to run by car at $22,620 per year versus $22,920 for Curlwaa, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Curlwaa and Dareton?
Annual council rates for a house are $920 in Curlwaa (Wentworth rates (OLG) and $920 in Dareton (Wentworth rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Curlwaa 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 Curlwaa and Dareton?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Curlwaa and $17,600 from Dareton to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Curlwaa and $2,400 from Dareton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Curlwaa and Dareton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Curlwaa costs a cumulative $262,752 and Dareton costs $259,313 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Dareton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Curlwaa 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Wentworth rates (OLG and Wentworth 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.