Darawank vs Hallidays Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darawank and Hallidays Point are both Mid-Coast rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 229.7 km and 233.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Hallidays Point runs $400 a year cheaper than Darawank, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Darawank
Hallidays Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darawank | Hallidays Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,609 | $1,609 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,500 | $3,100 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,009 | $23,609 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,809 | $8,409 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Darawank | Hallidays Point | 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 — Darawank vs Hallidays Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Hallidays Point costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Hallidays Point.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Darawank carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,809 from Darawank versus $8,409 from Hallidays Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darawank cumulative | Hallidays Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,009 | $23,609 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $74,209 | $72,973 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $127,467 | $125,343 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $275,236 | $270,651 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darawank or Hallidays Point cheaper to live in?
Hallidays Point is cheaper to run by car at $23,609 per year versus $24,009 for Darawank, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darawank and Hallidays Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,609 in Darawank (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Hallidays Point (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Darawank and $1,300 in Hallidays Point. 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 Darawank and Hallidays Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Darawank and $17,600 from Hallidays Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Darawank and $2,400 from Hallidays Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darawank and Hallidays Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darawank costs a cumulative $275,236 and Hallidays Point costs $270,651 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Hallidays Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darawank and Hallidays Point 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: Mid-Coast rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.