Cambridge Gardens vs Jordan Springs: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cambridge Gardens and Jordan Springs are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.3 km and 45.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cambridge Gardens runs $1,266 a year cheaper than Jordan Springs, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,513.
Over 10 years, Cambridge Gardens costs about $14,500 less to run than Jordan Springs — the same as paying $14,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Jordan Springs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cambridge Gardens | Jordan Springs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,533 | $6,649 | -$116 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $3,000 | -$1,150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,535 | $12,801 | -$1,266 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,402 | $8,552 | -$1,150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cambridge Gardens | Jordan Springs | 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 — Cambridge Gardens vs Jordan Springs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cambridge Gardens costs $1,266 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,513 in favour of Cambridge Gardens.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,150 per year. Jordan Springs carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,150 per year, $7,402 from Cambridge Gardens versus $8,552 from Jordan Springs.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cambridge Gardens cumulative | Jordan Springs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,535 | $12,801 | $1,266 |
| Year 3 | $35,654 | $39,567 | $3,913 |
| Year 5 | $61,241 | $67,962 | $6,721 |
| Year 10 | $132,236 | $146,749 | $14,513 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cambridge Gardens or Jordan Springs cheaper to live in?
Cambridge Gardens is cheaper to run by car at $11,535 per year versus $12,801 for Jordan Springs, a difference of $1,266 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cambridge Gardens and Jordan Springs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Cambridge Gardens (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in Jordan Springs (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cambridge Gardens and $1,548 in Jordan Springs. 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 Jordan Springs?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,533 from Cambridge Gardens and $6,649 from Jordan Springs to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cambridge Gardens and $2,400 from Jordan Springs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cambridge Gardens and Jordan Springs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cambridge Gardens costs a cumulative $132,236 and Jordan Springs costs $146,749 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,513 in favour of Cambridge Gardens. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cambridge Gardens and Jordan Springs 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.