Camden Park vs Elderslie: 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 (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and Elderslie (Camden rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (50.9 km and 50.6 km).
Elderslie runs $895 a year cheaper than Camden Park, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,260.
Over 10 years, Elderslie costs about $10,300 less to run than Camden Park — the same as paying $10,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Elderslie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden Park | Elderslie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,195 | $1,573 | +$622 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,257 | $6,284 | -$27 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $1,850 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,150 | $11,255 | +$895 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,293 | $7,371 | +$922 |
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 | Elderslie | 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 Elderslie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Elderslie costs $895 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,260 in favour of Elderslie.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $622 per year.
On public transport the gap is $922 per year, $8,293 from Camden Park versus $7,371 from Elderslie.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden Park cumulative | Elderslie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,150 | $11,255 | $895 |
| Year 3 | $37,554 | $34,788 | $2,766 |
| Year 5 | $64,506 | $59,754 | $4,752 |
| Year 10 | $139,286 | $129,026 | $10,260 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden Park or Elderslie cheaper to live in?
Elderslie is cheaper to run by car at $11,255 per year versus $12,150 for Camden Park, a difference of $895 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 Elderslie?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,195 in Camden Park (Wollondilly rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Elderslie (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camden Park and $1,548 in Elderslie. 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 Elderslie?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,257 from Camden Park and $6,284 from Elderslie to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden Park and $2,400 from Elderslie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden Park and Elderslie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden Park costs a cumulative $139,286 and Elderslie costs $129,026 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,260 in favour of Elderslie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden Park and Elderslie 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 Camden 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.