Blair Athol vs Campbelltown: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blair Athol and Campbelltown are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.1 km and 42.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Blair Athol runs $307 a year cheaper than Campbelltown, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,519.
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
Campbelltown
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blair Athol | Campbelltown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,718 | $6,725 | -$7 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,613 | $11,920 | -$307 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,595 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blair Athol | Campbelltown | 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 — Blair Athol vs Campbelltown (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blair Athol costs $307 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,519 in favour of Blair Athol.
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 Campbelltown.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blair Athol cumulative | Campbelltown cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,613 | $11,920 | $307 |
| Year 3 | $35,895 | $36,844 | $949 |
| Year 5 | $61,655 | $63,285 | $1,630 |
| Year 10 | $133,130 | $136,649 | $3,519 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blair Athol or Campbelltown cheaper to live in?
Blair Athol is cheaper to run by car at $11,613 per year versus $11,920 for Campbelltown, a difference of $307 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blair Athol and Campbelltown?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Blair Athol (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Campbelltown (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Blair Athol and $1,548 in Campbelltown. 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 Campbelltown?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,718 from Blair Athol and $6,725 from Campbelltown to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blair Athol and $2,400 from Campbelltown.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blair Athol and Campbelltown?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blair Athol costs a cumulative $133,130 and Campbelltown costs $136,649 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,519 in favour of Blair Athol. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blair Athol and Campbelltown 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.