Darlow vs Ellerslie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darlow and Ellerslie are both Snowy Valleys rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 339.8 km and 341.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Darlow runs $400 a year cheaper than Ellerslie, 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 →Darlow
Ellerslie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darlow | Ellerslie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $974 | $974 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $21,874 | $22,274 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,674 | $7,074 | -$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 | Darlow | Ellerslie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
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 — Darlow vs Ellerslie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darlow 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 Darlow.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,674 from Darlow versus $7,074 from Ellerslie.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darlow cumulative | Ellerslie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $21,874 | $22,274 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $67,610 | $68,847 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $116,132 | $118,256 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $250,761 | $255,346 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darlow or Ellerslie cheaper to live in?
Darlow is cheaper to run by car at $21,874 per year versus $22,274 for Ellerslie, 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 Darlow and Ellerslie?
Annual council rates for a house are $974 in Darlow (Snowy Valleys rates (OLG) and $974 in Ellerslie (Snowy Valleys rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Darlow and $1,300 in Ellerslie. 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 Darlow and Ellerslie?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Darlow and $17,600 from Ellerslie to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Darlow and $2,400 from Ellerslie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darlow and Ellerslie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darlow costs a cumulative $250,761 and Ellerslie costs $255,346 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Darlow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darlow and Ellerslie 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: Snowy Valleys rates (OLG and Snowy Valleys 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.