Blair Athol vs Claymore: 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 Claymore are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.1 km and 41.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $32 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
Claymore
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blair Athol | Claymore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,947 | $6,979 | -$32 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,842 | $11,874 | -$32 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,295 | - |
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 | Claymore | 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 Claymore (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blair Athol and Claymore cost within $32 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $367, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $32 per year. Blair Athol is 43.1 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, $7,295 and $7,295 a year, so the $32 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 Blair Athol by $32 a year, $6,947 against $6,979.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 4.7 in Blair Athol against 3.6 in Claymore, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blair Athol cumulative | Claymore cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,842 | $11,874 | $32 |
| Year 3 | $36,602 | $36,701 | $99 |
| Year 5 | $62,871 | $63,041 | $170 |
| Year 10 | $135,755 | $136,122 | $367 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blair Athol or Claymore cheaper to live in?
Blair Athol is cheaper to run by car at $11,842 per year versus $11,874 for Claymore, a difference of $32 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 Claymore?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Blair Athol (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Claymore (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Blair Athol and $1,548 in Claymore. 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 Claymore?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,947 from Blair Athol and $6,979 from Claymore to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blair Athol and $2,400 from Claymore.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blair Athol and Claymore?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blair Athol costs a cumulative $135,755 and Claymore costs $136,122 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $367 in favour of Blair Athol. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blair Athol and Claymore 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.