Dargan vs State Mine 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
Dargan and State Mine Gully are both Lithgow rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 99.6 km and 104.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Dargan runs $13,393 a year cheaper than State Mine Gully, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $153,536.
Over 10 years, Dargan costs about $153,500 less to run than State Mine Gully — the same as paying $153,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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State Mine Gully
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dargan | State Mine Gully | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,186 | $1,186 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,207 | $17,600 | -$13,393 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,093 | $22,486 | -$13,393 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,286 | $7,286 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dargan | State Mine Gully | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,554 | -$134 |
| Unit | $1,920 | $2,020 | -$100 |
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 — Dargan vs State Mine Gully (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dargan costs $13,393 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $153,536 in favour of Dargan.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $13,393 per year. State Mine Gully is 104.1 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,286 and $7,286 a year, so the $13,393 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dargan cumulative | State Mine Gully cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,093 | $22,486 | $13,393 |
| Year 3 | $28,106 | $69,502 | $41,396 |
| Year 5 | $48,276 | $119,381 | $71,105 |
| Year 10 | $104,241 | $257,777 | $153,536 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dargan or State Mine Gully cheaper to live in?
Dargan is cheaper to run by car at $9,093 per year versus $22,486 for State Mine Gully, a difference of $13,393 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dargan and State Mine Gully?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,186 in Dargan (Lithgow rates (OLG) and $1,186 in State Mine Gully (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Dargan and $1,300 in State Mine 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 Dargan and State Mine Gully?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,207 from Dargan and $17,600 from State Mine Gully to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dargan and $2,400 from State Mine Gully.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dargan and State Mine Gully?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dargan costs a cumulative $104,241 and State Mine Gully costs $257,777 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $153,536 in favour of Dargan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dargan and State Mine Gully is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Lithgow rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.