Camden South vs Spring Farm: 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 South and Spring Farm are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 52 km and 50.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $169 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 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 South
Spring Farm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden South | Spring Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,150 | $6,319 | -$169 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,421 | $11,590 | -$169 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,671 | $7,671 | - |
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 South | Spring Farm | 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 South vs Spring Farm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camden South and Spring Farm cost within $169 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,937, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $169 per year. Camden South is 52 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, $7,671 and $7,671 a year, so the $169 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden South cumulative | Spring Farm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,421 | $11,590 | $169 |
| Year 3 | $35,301 | $35,824 | $523 |
| Year 5 | $60,636 | $61,533 | $897 |
| Year 10 | $130,929 | $132,866 | $1,937 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden South or Spring Farm cheaper to live in?
Camden South is cheaper to run by car at $11,421 per year versus $11,590 for Spring Farm, a difference of $169 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camden South and Spring Farm?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Camden South (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Spring Farm (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camden South and $1,548 in Spring Farm. 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 Spring Farm?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,150 from Camden South and $6,319 from Spring Farm to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden South and $2,400 from Spring Farm.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden South and Spring Farm?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden South costs a cumulative $130,929 and Spring Farm costs $132,866 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,937 in favour of Camden South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden South and Spring Farm 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: Camden 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.