Cameron Park vs Edgeworth: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cameron Park and Edgeworth are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 15.8 km and 14.6 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $10 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 →Cameron Park
Edgeworth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cameron Park | Edgeworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,431 | $4,171 | +$260 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,421 | $10,411 | +$10 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $8,640 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cameron Park | Edgeworth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Cameron Park vs Edgeworth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cameron Park and Edgeworth cost within $10 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $115, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $260 per year. Cameron Park is 15.8 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,390 from Cameron Park versus $8,640 from Edgeworth.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Edgeworth by $260 a year, $4,171 against $4,431.
- Building insurance favours Cameron Park by $250 a year, $2,850 against $3,100.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Edgeworth against medium in Cameron Park, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Cameron Park against medium in Edgeworth, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cameron Park cumulative | Edgeworth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,421 | $10,411 | $10 |
| Year 3 | $32,210 | $32,179 | $31 |
| Year 5 | $55,327 | $55,273 | $54 |
| Year 10 | $119,465 | $119,350 | $115 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cameron Park or Edgeworth cheaper to live in?
Edgeworth is cheaper to run by car at $10,411 per year versus $10,421 for Cameron Park, a difference of $10 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cameron Park and Edgeworth?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Cameron Park (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Edgeworth (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Cameron Park and $1,377 in Edgeworth. 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 Cameron Park and Edgeworth?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,431 from Cameron Park and $4,171 from Edgeworth to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cameron Park and $2,400 from Edgeworth.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cameron Park and Edgeworth?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cameron Park costs a cumulative $119,465 and Edgeworth costs $119,350 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $115 in favour of Edgeworth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cameron Park and Edgeworth 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.