Gulmarrad vs Ilarwill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gulmarrad and Ilarwill are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 521.1 km and 522.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Gulmarrad runs $400 a year cheaper than Ilarwill, 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 →Gulmarrad
Ilarwill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gulmarrad | Ilarwill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,500 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,439 | $23,839 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,239 | $8,639 | -$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 | Gulmarrad | Ilarwill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Gulmarrad vs Ilarwill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gulmarrad 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 Gulmarrad.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Ilarwill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,239 from Gulmarrad versus $8,639 from Ilarwill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gulmarrad cumulative | Ilarwill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,439 | $23,839 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $72,448 | $73,684 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $124,441 | $126,564 | $2,123 |
| Year 10 | $268,702 | $273,287 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gulmarrad or Ilarwill cheaper to live in?
Gulmarrad is cheaper to run by car at $23,439 per year versus $23,839 for Ilarwill, 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 Gulmarrad and Ilarwill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Gulmarrad (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in Ilarwill (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Gulmarrad and $1,300 in Ilarwill. 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 Gulmarrad and Ilarwill?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Gulmarrad and $17,600 from Ilarwill to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gulmarrad and $2,400 from Ilarwill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gulmarrad and Ilarwill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gulmarrad costs a cumulative $268,702 and Ilarwill costs $273,287 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Gulmarrad. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gulmarrad and Ilarwill 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: Clarence Valley rates (OLG and Clarence Valley 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.