Bardia vs Macquarie Links: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bardia and Macquarie Links are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 34.3 km and 32.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bardia runs $374 a year cheaper than Macquarie Links, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,288.
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 →Bardia
Macquarie Links
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bardia | Macquarie Links | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,621 | $6,545 | +$76 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,600 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,816 | $12,190 | -$374 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,595 | $8,045 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bardia | Macquarie Links | 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 — Bardia vs Macquarie Links (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bardia costs $374 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,288 in favour of Bardia.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Macquarie Links carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,595 from Bardia versus $8,045 from Macquarie Links.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bardia cumulative | Macquarie Links cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,816 | $12,190 | $374 |
| Year 3 | $36,522 | $37,678 | $1,156 |
| Year 5 | $62,733 | $64,718 | $1,985 |
| Year 10 | $135,457 | $139,745 | $4,288 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bardia or Macquarie Links cheaper to live in?
Bardia is cheaper to run by car at $11,816 per year versus $12,190 for Macquarie Links, a difference of $374 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bardia and Macquarie Links?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Bardia (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Macquarie Links (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bardia and $1,548 in Macquarie Links. 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 Bardia and Macquarie Links?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,621 from Bardia and $6,545 from Macquarie Links to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bardia and $2,400 from Macquarie Links.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bardia and Macquarie Links?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bardia costs a cumulative $135,457 and Macquarie Links costs $139,745 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,288 in favour of Bardia. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bardia and Macquarie Links 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.