Bow Bowing vs St Andrews: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bow Bowing and St Andrews are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 38 km and 38.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $7 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 →Bow Bowing
St Andrews
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bow Bowing | St Andrews | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,742 | $6,749 | -$7 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,637 | $11,644 | -$7 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,295 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bow Bowing | St Andrews | 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 — Bow Bowing vs St Andrews (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bow Bowing and St Andrews cost within $7 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $80, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $7 per year. St Andrews is 38.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,295 and $7,295 a year, so the $7 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bow Bowing cumulative | St Andrews cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,637 | $11,644 | $7 |
| Year 3 | $35,969 | $35,990 | $21 |
| Year 5 | $61,782 | $61,820 | $38 |
| Year 10 | $133,405 | $133,485 | $80 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bow Bowing or St Andrews cheaper to live in?
Bow Bowing is cheaper to run by car at $11,637 per year versus $11,644 for St Andrews, a difference of $7 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bow Bowing and St Andrews?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Bow Bowing (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in St Andrews (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bow Bowing and $1,548 in St Andrews. 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 Bow Bowing and St Andrews?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,742 from Bow Bowing and $6,749 from St Andrews to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bow Bowing and $2,400 from St Andrews.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bow Bowing and St Andrews?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bow Bowing costs a cumulative $133,405 and St Andrews costs $133,485 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $80 in favour of Bow Bowing. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bow Bowing and St Andrews 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.