Blair Athol vs Blairmount: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blair Athol and Blairmount are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.1 km and 43.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $286 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 →Blair Athol
Blairmount
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blair Athol | Blairmount | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,947 | $6,933 | +$14 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,842 | $12,128 | -$286 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,595 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blair Athol | Blairmount | 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 — Blair Athol vs Blairmount (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blair Athol and Blairmount cost within $286 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,279, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,295 from Blair Athol versus $7,595 from Blairmount.
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 Blairmount by $14 a year, $6,933 against $6,947.
- Building insurance favours Blair Athol by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Blairmount against low in Blair Athol, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blair Athol cumulative | Blairmount cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,842 | $12,128 | $286 |
| Year 3 | $36,602 | $37,486 | $884 |
| Year 5 | $62,871 | $64,389 | $1,518 |
| Year 10 | $135,755 | $139,034 | $3,279 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blair Athol or Blairmount cheaper to live in?
Blair Athol is cheaper to run by car at $11,842 per year versus $12,128 for Blairmount, a difference of $286 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blair Athol and Blairmount?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Blair Athol (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Blairmount (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Blair Athol and $1,548 in Blairmount. 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 Blair Athol and Blairmount?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,947 from Blair Athol and $6,933 from Blairmount to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blair Athol and $2,400 from Blairmount.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blair Athol and Blairmount?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blair Athol costs a cumulative $135,755 and Blairmount costs $139,034 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,279 in favour of Blair Athol. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blair Athol and Blairmount 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.