Dark Corner vs Portland: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dark Corner and Portland are both Lithgow rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 34.2 km and 35.6 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $62 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 →Dark Corner
Portland
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dark Corner | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,186 | $1,186 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,842 | $6,904 | -$62 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,728 | $11,790 | -$62 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,286 | $7,286 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dark Corner | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,857 | $2,857 | - |
| Unit | $2,312 | $2,312 | - |
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 — Dark Corner vs Portland (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dark Corner and Portland cost within $62 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $711, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $62 per year. Portland is 35.6 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,286 and $7,286 a year, so the $62 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,186 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dark Corner by $62 a year, $6,842 against $6,904.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,400 a year.
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 commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dark Corner cumulative | Portland cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,728 | $11,790 | $62 |
| Year 3 | $36,250 | $36,442 | $192 |
| Year 5 | $62,266 | $62,595 | $329 |
| Year 10 | $134,448 | $135,159 | $711 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dark Corner or Portland cheaper to live in?
Dark Corner is cheaper to run by car at $11,728 per year versus $11,790 for Portland, a difference of $62 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dark Corner and Portland?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,186 in Dark Corner (Lithgow rates (OLG) and $1,186 in Portland (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Dark Corner and $1,300 in Portland. 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 Dark Corner and Portland?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,842 from Dark Corner and $6,904 from Portland to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dark Corner and $2,400 from Portland.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dark Corner and Portland?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dark Corner costs a cumulative $134,448 and Portland costs $135,159 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $711 in favour of Dark Corner. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dark Corner and Portland 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: Lithgow rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.