Camden Park vs Camden South: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camden Park (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and Camden South (Camden rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (50.9 km and 52 km).
Camden South runs $732 a year cheaper than Camden Park, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,392.
Over 10 years, Camden South costs about $8,400 less to run than Camden Park — the same as paying $8,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Camden South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden Park | Camden South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $1,573 | +$622 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,470 | $6,360 | +$110 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,363 | $11,631 | +$732 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,293 | $7,671 | +$622 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Camden Park | Camden South | 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 — Camden Park vs Camden South (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camden South costs $732 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,392 in favour of Camden South.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $622 per year.
On public transport the gap is $622 per year, $8,293 from Camden Park versus $7,671 from Camden South.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Camden South by $622 a year, $1,573 against $2,195.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Camden South by $110 a year, $6,360 against $6,470.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
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 | Camden Park cumulative | Camden South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,363 | $11,631 | $732 |
| Year 3 | $38,213 | $35,950 | $2,263 |
| Year 5 | $65,637 | $61,751 | $3,886 |
| Year 10 | $141,728 | $133,336 | $8,392 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden Park or Camden South cheaper to live in?
Camden South is cheaper to run by car at $11,631 per year versus $12,363 for Camden Park, a difference of $732 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camden Park and Camden South?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Camden Park (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Camden South (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camden Park and $1,548 in Camden South. 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 Park and Camden South?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,470 from Camden Park and $6,360 from Camden South to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden Park and $2,400 from Camden South.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden Park and Camden South?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden Park costs a cumulative $141,728 and Camden South costs $133,336 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,392 in favour of Camden South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden Park and Camden South is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Camden 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.