Airds vs St Helens Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $80 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.
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St Helens Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Airds | St Helens Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,964 | $6,884 | +$80 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,209 | $12,129 | +$80 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,645 | $7,645 | - |
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 | Airds | St Helens Park | 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, Airds vs St Helens Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Airds and St Helens Park cost within $80 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $918, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $80 per year. St Helens Park is 44.9 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, $7,645 and $7,645 a year, so the $80 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,497 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours St Helens Park by $80 a year, $6,884 against $6,964.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,200 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 in St Helens Park against 1.9 in Airds, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Airds cumulative | St Helens Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,209 | $12,129 | $80 |
| Year 3 | $37,737 | $37,490 | $247 |
| Year 5 | $64,819 | $64,395 | $424 |
| Year 10 | $139,963 | $139,045 | $918 |
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 $12,129 per year versus $12,209 for Airds, a difference of $80 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,964 from Airds and $6,884 from St Helens Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $139,963 and St Helens Park costs $139,045 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $918 in favour of St Helens Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Airds and St Helens Park suits you better?
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Sources: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown 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.