Daruka vs Moore Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Daruka and Moore Creek are both Tamworth Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 9.4 km and 10.4 km from Tamworth CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $263 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, Daruka costs about $3,000 less to run than Moore Creek. That's about $6 a week.
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Moore Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Daruka | Moore Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,442 | $1,442 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,899 | $3,162 | -$263 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,899 | $3,162 | -$263 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,491 | $7,754 | -$263 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,491 | $7,754 | -$263 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Daruka | Moore Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Daruka vs Moore Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Daruka and Moore Creek cost within $263 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,015, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $263 per year. Moore Creek is 10.4 km from Tamworth CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $263 per year, $7,491 from Daruka versus $7,754 from Moore Creek.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,442 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Daruka by $263 a year, $2,899 against $3,162.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.9 in Daruka against 2.8 in Moore Creek, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Daruka cumulative | Moore Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,491 | $7,754 | $263 |
| Year 3 | $23,154 | $23,967 | $813 |
| Year 5 | $39,771 | $41,167 | $1,396 |
| Year 10 | $85,876 | $88,891 | $3,015 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Daruka or Moore Creek cheaper to live in?
Daruka is cheaper to run by car at $7,491 per year versus $7,754 for Moore Creek, a difference of $263 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Daruka and Moore Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,442 in Daruka (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG) and $1,442 in Moore Creek (Tamworth Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Daruka and $1,300 in Moore Creek. 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 Daruka and Moore Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,899 from Daruka and $3,162 from Moore Creek to Tamworth CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Daruka and Moore Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Daruka costs a cumulative $85,876 and Moore Creek costs $88,891 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,015 in favour of Daruka. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Daruka and Moore Creek suits you better?
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Sources: Tamworth Regional rates (OLG and Tamworth Regional rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.