Camden South 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 South (Camden rates (OLG) and Cawdor (Wollondilly rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (52 km and 54.9 km).
The two sit within $281 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years, Camden South costs about $3,200 less to run than Cawdor. That's about $6 a week.
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Cawdor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden South | Cawdor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,573 | $2,195 | -$622 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,360 | $6,019 | +$341 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,331 | $11,612 | -$281 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,371 | $7,993 | -$622 |
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 South | 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 South vs Cawdor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camden South and Cawdor cost within $281 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,222, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $622 per year.
On public transport the gap is $622 per year, $7,371 from Camden South versus $7,993 from Cawdor.
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 Cawdor by $341 a year, $6,019 against $6,360.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 South cumulative | Cawdor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,331 | $11,612 | $281 |
| Year 3 | $35,023 | $35,892 | $869 |
| Year 5 | $60,158 | $61,650 | $1,492 |
| Year 10 | $129,897 | $133,119 | $3,222 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden South or Cawdor cheaper to live in?
Camden South is cheaper to run by car at $11,331 per year versus $11,612 for Cawdor, a difference of $281 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camden South and Cawdor?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Camden South (Camden rates (OLG) and $2,195 in Cawdor (Wollondilly rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camden South 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 South and Cawdor?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,360 from Camden South and $6,019 from Cawdor to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden South and $2,400 from Cawdor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden South and Cawdor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden South costs a cumulative $129,897 and Cawdor costs $133,119 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,222 in favour of Camden South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden South and Cawdor suits you better?
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Sources: Camden 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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.