Camden Head vs Grants Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camden Head and Grants Beach are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 290.3 km and 291.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Camden Head runs $700 a year cheaper than Grants Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,024.
Over 10 years, Camden Head costs about $8,000 less to run than Grants Beach — the same as paying $8,000 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 →Camden Head
Grants Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden Head | Grants Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,500 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,070 | $23,770 | -$700 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,870 | $8,570 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Camden Head | Grants Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Camden Head vs Grants Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camden Head costs $700 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,024 in favour of Camden Head.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Grants Beach carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $7,870 from Camden Head versus $8,570 from Grants Beach.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden Head cumulative | Grants Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,070 | $23,770 | $700 |
| Year 3 | $71,307 | $73,471 | $2,164 |
| Year 5 | $122,482 | $126,198 | $3,716 |
| Year 10 | $264,472 | $272,496 | $8,024 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden Head or Grants Beach cheaper to live in?
Camden Head is cheaper to run by car at $23,070 per year versus $23,770 for Grants Beach, a difference of $700 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camden Head and Grants Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Camden Head (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Grants Beach (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Camden Head and $1,300 in Grants Beach. 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 Camden Head and Grants Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Camden Head and $17,600 from Grants Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden Head and $2,400 from Grants Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden Head and Grants Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden Head costs a cumulative $264,472 and Grants Beach costs $272,496 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,024 in favour of Camden Head. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden Head and Grants Beach 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: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.