Camden Park vs Cawdor: 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 and Cawdor are both Wollondilly rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 50.9 km and 54.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cawdor runs $451 a year cheaper than Camden Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,170.
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 →Camden Park
Cawdor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden Park | Cawdor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $2,195 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,470 | $6,019 | +$451 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,363 | $11,912 | +$451 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,293 | $8,293 | - |
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 | Cawdor | 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 Cawdor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cawdor costs $451 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,170 in favour of Cawdor.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $451 per year. Cawdor is 54.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,293 and $8,293 a year, so the $451 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,195 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cawdor by $451 a year, $6,019 against $6,470.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden Park cumulative | Cawdor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,363 | $11,912 | $451 |
| Year 3 | $38,213 | $36,819 | $1,394 |
| Year 5 | $65,637 | $63,242 | $2,395 |
| Year 10 | $141,728 | $136,558 | $5,170 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden Park or Cawdor cheaper to live in?
Cawdor is cheaper to run by car at $11,912 per year versus $12,363 for Camden Park, a difference of $451 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 Cawdor?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Camden Park (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Cawdor (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camden Park and $1,548 in Cawdor. 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 Cawdor?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,470 from Camden Park and $6,019 from Cawdor to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden Park and $2,400 from Cawdor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden Park and Cawdor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden Park costs a cumulative $141,728 and Cawdor costs $136,558 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,170 in favour of Cawdor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden Park and Cawdor 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: Wollondilly rates (OLG and Wollondilly 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.