Caddens vs Cambridge Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caddens and Cambridge Park are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 45.8 km and 46 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $11 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.
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Cambridge Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caddens | Cambridge Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,842 | $6,831 | +$11 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,494 | $11,483 | +$11 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,052 | $7,052 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Caddens | Cambridge Park | 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, Caddens vs Cambridge Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caddens and Cambridge Park cost within $11 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $126, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $11 per year. Cambridge Park is 46 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, $7,052 and $7,052 a year, so the $11 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,604 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cambridge Park by $11 a year, $6,831 against $6,842.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,500 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 7.2 in Caddens against 4.2 in Cambridge Park, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caddens cumulative | Cambridge Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,494 | $11,483 | $11 |
| Year 3 | $35,527 | $35,493 | $34 |
| Year 5 | $61,023 | $60,965 | $58 |
| Year 10 | $131,766 | $131,640 | $126 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caddens or Cambridge Park cheaper to live in?
Cambridge Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,483 per year versus $11,494 for Caddens, a difference of $11 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caddens and Cambridge Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Caddens (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Cambridge Park (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Caddens and $1,548 in Cambridge 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 Caddens and Cambridge Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,842 from Caddens and $6,831 from Cambridge Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Caddens and $2,400 from Cambridge Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caddens and Cambridge Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caddens costs a cumulative $131,766 and Cambridge Park costs $131,640 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $126 in favour of Cambridge Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caddens and Cambridge Park suits you better?
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Sources: Penrith rates (OLG and Penrith rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.