Cambridge Gardens vs Cranebrook: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cambridge Gardens and Cranebrook are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.3 km and 49.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $155 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 →Cambridge Gardens
Cranebrook
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cambridge Gardens | Cranebrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,756 | $6,611 | +$145 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,758 | $11,913 | -$155 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,402 | $7,702 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cambridge Gardens | Cranebrook | 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 — Cambridge Gardens vs Cranebrook (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cambridge Gardens and Cranebrook cost within $155 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,777, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,402 from Cambridge Gardens versus $7,702 from Cranebrook.
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 Cranebrook by $145 a year, $6,611 against $6,756.
- Building insurance favours Cambridge Gardens by $300 a year, $1,850 against $2,150.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Cranebrook against low in Cambridge Gardens, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cambridge Gardens cumulative | Cranebrook cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,758 | $11,913 | $155 |
| Year 3 | $36,343 | $36,822 | $479 |
| Year 5 | $62,425 | $63,248 | $823 |
| Year 10 | $134,792 | $136,569 | $1,777 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cambridge Gardens or Cranebrook cheaper to live in?
Cambridge Gardens is cheaper to run by car at $11,758 per year versus $11,913 for Cranebrook, a difference of $155 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cambridge Gardens and Cranebrook?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Cambridge Gardens (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Cranebrook (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cambridge Gardens and $1,548 in Cranebrook. 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 Cambridge Gardens and Cranebrook?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,756 from Cambridge Gardens and $6,611 from Cranebrook to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cambridge Gardens and $2,400 from Cranebrook.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cambridge Gardens and Cranebrook?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cambridge Gardens costs a cumulative $134,792 and Cranebrook costs $136,569 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,777 in favour of Cambridge Gardens. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cambridge Gardens and Cranebrook 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.