Airds vs St Helens Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Airds and St Helens Park are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42.4 km and 44.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $77 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 →Airds
St Helens Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Airds | St Helens Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,734 | $6,657 | +$77 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,329 | $12,252 | +$77 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,995 | $7,995 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Airds | St Helens Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Airds vs St Helens Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Airds and St Helens Park cost within $77 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $883, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $77 per year. St Helens Park is 44.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,995 and $7,995 a year, so the $77 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Airds cumulative | St Helens Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,329 | $12,252 | $77 |
| Year 3 | $38,108 | $37,870 | $238 |
| Year 5 | $65,456 | $65,048 | $408 |
| Year 10 | $141,338 | $140,455 | $883 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airds or St Helens Park cheaper to live in?
St Helens Park is cheaper to run by car at $12,252 per year versus $12,329 for Airds, a difference of $77 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Airds and St Helens Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Airds (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in St Helens Park (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Airds and $1,548 in St Helens Park. 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 Airds and St Helens Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,734 from Airds and $6,657 from St Helens Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Airds and $2,400 from St Helens Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Airds and St Helens Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Airds costs a cumulative $141,338 and St Helens Park costs $140,455 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $883 in favour of St Helens Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Airds and St Helens Park 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: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown 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.