Camden Park vs Elderslie, 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 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 $844 a year cheaper than Camden Park, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,676.
Over 10 years, Elderslie costs about $9,700 less to run than Camden Park. That's about $19 a week.
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Elderslie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden Park | Elderslie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $2,195 | $1,573 | +$622 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,470 | $6,498 | -$28 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,600 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,063 | $11,219 | +$844 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,993 | $7,121 | +$872 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Camden Park | Elderslie | 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 Elderslie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Elderslie costs $844 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,676 in favour of Elderslie.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $622 per year.
On public transport the gap is $872 per year, $7,993 from Camden Park versus $7,121 from Elderslie.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Elderslie by $622 a year, $1,573 against $2,195.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Camden Park by $28 a year, $6,470 against $6,498.
- Building insurance favours Elderslie by $250 a year, $1,600 against $1,850.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Camden Park against low in Elderslie, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden Park cumulative | Elderslie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,063 | $11,219 | $844 |
| Year 3 | $37,286 | $34,677 | $2,609 |
| Year 5 | $64,044 | $59,563 | $4,481 |
| Year 10 | $138,289 | $128,613 | $9,676 |
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 $11,219 per year versus $12,063 for Camden Park, a difference of $844 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 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 $6,470 from Camden Park and $6,498 from Elderslie to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $138,289 and Elderslie costs $128,613 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,676 in favour of Elderslie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden Park and Elderslie suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.