Camellia vs Ermington: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camellia and Ermington are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 16.7 km and 14.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ermington runs $380 a year cheaper than Camellia, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,357.
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 →Camellia
Ermington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camellia | Ermington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,617 | $4,237 | +$380 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,271 | $9,891 | +$380 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,040 | $8,040 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Camellia | Ermington | 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 — Camellia vs Ermington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ermington costs $380 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,357 in favour of Ermington.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $380 per year. Camellia is 16.7 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, $8,040 and $8,040 a year, so the $380 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,156 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ermington by $380 a year, $4,237 against $4,617.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 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 | Camellia cumulative | Ermington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,271 | $9,891 | $380 |
| Year 3 | $31,747 | $30,572 | $1,175 |
| Year 5 | $54,530 | $52,513 | $2,017 |
| Year 10 | $117,746 | $113,389 | $4,357 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camellia or Ermington cheaper to live in?
Ermington is cheaper to run by car at $9,891 per year versus $10,271 for Camellia, a difference of $380 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camellia and Ermington?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Camellia (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Ermington (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camellia and $1,548 in Ermington. 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 Camellia and Ermington?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,617 from Camellia and $4,237 from Ermington to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Camellia and $2,386 from Ermington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camellia and Ermington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camellia costs a cumulative $117,746 and Ermington costs $113,389 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,357 in favour of Ermington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camellia and Ermington 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: Parramatta rates (OLG and Parramatta rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.