Camden Park vs Cawdor: 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 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 $436 a year cheaper than Camden Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,998.
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) | $6,257 | $5,821 | +$436 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,150 | $11,714 | +$436 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,293 | $8,293 | - |
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 Park | Cawdor | 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 — Camden Park vs Cawdor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cawdor costs $436 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,998 in favour of Cawdor.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $436 per year. Cawdor is 54.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,293 and $8,293 a year, so the $436 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden Park cumulative | Cawdor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,150 | $11,714 | $436 |
| Year 3 | $37,554 | $36,207 | $1,347 |
| Year 5 | $64,506 | $62,191 | $2,315 |
| Year 10 | $139,286 | $134,288 | $4,998 |
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 $11,714 per year versus $12,150 for Camden Park, a difference of $436 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $6,257 from Camden Park and $5,821 from Cawdor to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $139,286 and Cawdor costs $134,288 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,998 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.