Camden South vs Spring Farm, 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 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 $174 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 $2,000 less to run than Spring Farm. That's about $4 a week.
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Spring Farm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden South | Spring Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,360 | $6,534 | -$174 |
| 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 | $11,505 | -$174 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,371 | $7,371 | - |
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 | Spring Farm | 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 Spring Farm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camden South and Spring Farm cost within $174 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,995, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $174 per year. Camden South is 52 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,371 and $7,371 a year, so the $174 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,573 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Camden South by $174 a year, $6,360 against $6,534.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Camden South cumulative | Spring Farm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,331 | $11,505 | $174 |
| Year 3 | $35,023 | $35,561 | $538 |
| Year 5 | $60,158 | $61,082 | $924 |
| Year 10 | $129,897 | $131,892 | $1,995 |
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 $11,331 per year versus $11,505 for Spring Farm, a difference of $174 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 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 $6,360 from Camden South and $6,534 from Spring Farm to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $129,897 and Spring Farm costs $131,892 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,995 in favour of Camden South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden South and Spring Farm suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.