Camden vs Grasmere, 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 and Grasmere are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 51.8 km and 54.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $284 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, Grasmere costs about $3,300 less to run than Camden. That's about $6 a week.
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Grasmere
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camden | Grasmere | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,380 | $6,096 | +$284 |
| 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) | $11,351 | $11,067 | +$284 |
| 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 | Grasmere | 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 vs Grasmere (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camden and Grasmere cost within $284 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,255, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $284 per year. Grasmere is 54.3 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 $284 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 Grasmere by $284 a year, $6,096 against $6,380.
- 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 cumulative | Grasmere cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,351 | $11,067 | $284 |
| Year 3 | $35,085 | $34,207 | $878 |
| Year 5 | $60,264 | $58,756 | $1,508 |
| Year 10 | $130,126 | $126,871 | $3,255 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camden or Grasmere cheaper to live in?
Grasmere is cheaper to run by car at $11,067 per year versus $11,351 for Camden, a difference of $284 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camden and Grasmere?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Camden (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Grasmere (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camden and $1,548 in Grasmere. 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 and Grasmere?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,380 from Camden and $6,096 from Grasmere to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Camden and $2,400 from Grasmere.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camden and Grasmere?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camden costs a cumulative $130,126 and Grasmere costs $126,871 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,255 in favour of Grasmere. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camden and Grasmere suits you better?
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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.