Narellan vs Narellan Vale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Narellan and Narellan Vale are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 48.2 km and 47.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $41 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 →Narellan
Narellan Vale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Narellan | Narellan Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,695 | $6,736 | -$41 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,666 | $11,707 | -$41 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,371 | $7,371 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Narellan | Narellan Vale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Narellan vs Narellan Vale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Narellan and Narellan Vale cost within $41 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $470, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $41 per year. Narellan is 48.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,371 and $7,371 a year, so the $41 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,573 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Narellan by $41 a year, $6,695 against $6,736.
- 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 6.2 in Narellan Vale against 5.2 in Narellan, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Narellan cumulative | Narellan Vale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,666 | $11,707 | $41 |
| Year 3 | $36,058 | $36,185 | $127 |
| Year 5 | $61,936 | $62,154 | $218 |
| Year 10 | $133,738 | $134,208 | $470 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Narellan or Narellan Vale cheaper to live in?
Narellan is cheaper to run by car at $11,666 per year versus $11,707 for Narellan Vale, a difference of $41 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Narellan and Narellan Vale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Narellan (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Narellan Vale (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Narellan and $1,548 in Narellan Vale. 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 Narellan and Narellan Vale?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,695 from Narellan and $6,736 from Narellan Vale to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Narellan and $2,400 from Narellan Vale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Narellan and Narellan Vale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Narellan costs a cumulative $133,738 and Narellan Vale costs $134,208 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $470 in favour of Narellan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Narellan and Narellan Vale 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: Camden rates (OLG and Camden 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.