Caddens vs Claremont Meadows: 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 Claremont Meadows are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 45.8 km and 43 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Caddens runs $857 a year cheaper than Claremont Meadows, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,825.
Over 10 years, Caddens costs about $9,800 less to run than Claremont Meadows — the same as paying $9,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Caddens
Claremont Meadows
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caddens | Claremont Meadows | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,842 | $6,949 | -$107 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,600 | -$750 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,844 | $12,701 | -$857 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,402 | $8,152 | -$750 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Caddens | Claremont Meadows | 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 Claremont Meadows (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caddens costs $857 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,825 in favour of Caddens.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $750 per year. Claremont Meadows carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $750 per year, $7,402 from Caddens versus $8,152 from Claremont Meadows.
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 Caddens by $107 a year, $6,842 against $6,949.
- Building insurance favours Caddens by $750 a year, $1,850 against $2,600.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Claremont Meadows against low in Caddens, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Claremont Meadows against low in Caddens, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caddens cumulative | Claremont Meadows cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,844 | $12,701 | $857 |
| Year 3 | $36,609 | $39,258 | $2,649 |
| Year 5 | $62,881 | $67,431 | $4,550 |
| Year 10 | $135,778 | $145,603 | $9,825 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caddens or Claremont Meadows cheaper to live in?
Caddens is cheaper to run by car at $11,844 per year versus $12,701 for Claremont Meadows, a difference of $857 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caddens and Claremont Meadows?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Caddens (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Claremont Meadows (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Caddens and $1,548 in Claremont Meadows. 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 Claremont Meadows?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,842 from Caddens and $6,949 from Claremont Meadows to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Caddens and $2,400 from Claremont Meadows.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caddens and Claremont Meadows?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caddens costs a cumulative $135,778 and Claremont Meadows costs $145,603 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,825 in favour of Caddens. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caddens and Claremont Meadows 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.