Cambra vs Nooroo, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cambra (Dungog rates (OLG) and Nooroo (Mid-Coast rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $230 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, Nooroo costs about $2,600 less to run than Cambra. That's about $5 a week.
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Nooroo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cambra | Nooroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,712 | $1,609 | +$103 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,377 | $1,300 | +$77 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,800 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,139 | $22,909 | +$230 |
| Total (public transport) | $23,139 | $22,909 | +$230 |
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 | Cambra | Nooroo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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, Cambra vs Nooroo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cambra and Nooroo cost within $230 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,637, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $103 per year.
On public transport the gap is $230 per year, $23,139 from Cambra versus $22,909 from Nooroo.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Nooroo by $103 a year, $1,609 against $1,712.
- Water and sewerage favours Nooroo by $77 a year, $1,300 against $1,377.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Nooroo by $50 a year, $1,800 against $1,850.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cambra cumulative | Nooroo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,139 | $22,909 | $230 |
| Year 3 | $71,520 | $70,809 | $711 |
| Year 5 | $122,848 | $121,627 | $1,221 |
| Year 10 | $265,263 | $262,626 | $2,637 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cambra or Nooroo cheaper to live in?
Nooroo is cheaper to run by car at $22,909 per year versus $23,139 for Cambra, a difference of $230 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cambra and Nooroo?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,712 in Cambra (Dungog rates (OLG) and $1,609 in Nooroo (Mid-Coast rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Cambra and $1,300 in Nooroo. 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 Cambra and Nooroo?
Cambra carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Nooroo carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cambra and Nooroo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cambra costs a cumulative $265,263 and Nooroo costs $262,626 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,637 in favour of Nooroo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cambra and Nooroo suits you better?
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Sources: Dungog rates (OLG and Mid-Coast 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.