Annandale vs Camperdown: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Annandale (Inner West rates (OLG) and Camperdown (Sydney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (3.9 km and 3.6 km).
Camperdown runs $1,222 a year cheaper than Annandale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,009.
Over 10 years, Camperdown costs about $14,000 less to run than Annandale — the same as paying $14,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Camperdown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Annandale | Camperdown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $924 | +$477 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,297 | $1,202 | +$95 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,300 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,196 | $5,974 | +$1,222 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,819 | $6,692 | +$1,127 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Annandale | Camperdown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Annandale vs Camperdown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camperdown costs $1,222 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,009 in favour of Camperdown.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Annandale carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,127 per year, $7,819 from Annandale versus $6,692 from Camperdown.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Camperdown by $477 a year, $924 against $1,401.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Camperdown by $95 a year, $1,202 against $1,297.
- Building insurance favours Camperdown by $650 a year, $2,300 against $2,950.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated high in Annandale against medium in Camperdown, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Annandale cumulative | Camperdown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,196 | $5,974 | $1,222 |
| Year 3 | $22,242 | $18,465 | $3,777 |
| Year 5 | $38,205 | $31,717 | $6,488 |
| Year 10 | $82,494 | $68,485 | $14,009 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Annandale or Camperdown cheaper to live in?
Camperdown is cheaper to run by car at $5,974 per year versus $7,196 for Annandale, a difference of $1,222 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Annandale and Camperdown?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Annandale (Inner West rates (OLG) and $924 in Camperdown (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Annandale and $1,548 in Camperdown. 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 Annandale and Camperdown?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,297 from Annandale and $1,202 from Camperdown to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Annandale and $1,920 from Camperdown.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Annandale and Camperdown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Annandale costs a cumulative $82,494 and Camperdown costs $68,485 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,009 in favour of Camperdown. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Annandale and Camperdown 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: Inner West rates (OLG and Sydney 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.