Bradbury vs St Helens Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bradbury and St Helens Park are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.3 km and 44.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bradbury runs $645 a year cheaper than St Helens Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,394.
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 →Bradbury
St Helens Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bradbury | St Helens Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,712 | $6,657 | +$55 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,550 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,607 | $12,252 | -$645 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,995 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bradbury | St Helens Park | 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 — Bradbury vs St Helens Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bradbury costs $645 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,394 in favour of Bradbury.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $7,295 from Bradbury versus $7,995 from St Helens Park.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bradbury cumulative | St Helens Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,607 | $12,252 | $645 |
| Year 3 | $35,876 | $37,870 | $1,994 |
| Year 5 | $61,623 | $65,048 | $3,425 |
| Year 10 | $133,061 | $140,455 | $7,394 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bradbury or St Helens Park cheaper to live in?
Bradbury is cheaper to run by car at $11,607 per year versus $12,252 for St Helens Park, a difference of $645 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bradbury and St Helens Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Bradbury (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in St Helens Park (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bradbury and $1,548 in St Helens Park. 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 Bradbury and St Helens Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,712 from Bradbury and $6,657 from St Helens Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bradbury and $2,400 from St Helens Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bradbury and St Helens Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bradbury costs a cumulative $133,061 and St Helens Park costs $140,455 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,394 in favour of Bradbury. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bradbury and St Helens Park 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.