Cambridge Gardens vs Jordan Springs: 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 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 $1,270 a year cheaper than Jordan Springs, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,559.
Over 10 years, Cambridge Gardens costs about $14,600 less to run than Jordan Springs — the same as paying $14,600 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 →Cambridge Gardens
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) | $6,756 | $6,876 | -$120 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $3,000 | -$1,150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,758 | $13,028 | -$1,270 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,402 | $8,552 | -$1,150 |
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 | Jordan Springs | 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 Jordan Springs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cambridge Gardens costs $1,270 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,559 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.
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 Gardens by $120 a year, $6,756 against $6,876.
- Building insurance favours Cambridge Gardens by $1,150 a year, $1,850 against $3,000.
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 Jordan Springs against low in Cambridge Gardens, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Jordan Springs against low in Cambridge Gardens, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cambridge Gardens cumulative | Jordan Springs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,758 | $13,028 | $1,270 |
| Year 3 | $36,343 | $40,268 | $3,925 |
| Year 5 | $62,425 | $69,167 | $6,742 |
| Year 10 | $134,792 | $149,351 | $14,559 |
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 $11,758 per year versus $13,028 for Jordan Springs, a difference of $1,270 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 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 $6,756 from Cambridge Gardens and $6,876 from Jordan Springs to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $134,792 and Jordan Springs costs $149,351 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,559 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.