Cammeray vs Northbridge, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cammeray (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and Northbridge (Willoughby rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (5.4 km and 6.6 km).
Cammeray runs $720 a year cheaper than Northbridge, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,254.
Over 10 years, Cammeray costs about $8,300 less to run than Northbridge. That's about $16 a week.
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Northbridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cammeray | Northbridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,327 | $1,341 | -$14 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,760 | $2,116 | -$356 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,850 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,135 | $6,855 | -$720 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,295 | $6,659 | -$364 |
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 | Cammeray | Northbridge | 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, Cammeray vs Northbridge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cammeray costs $720 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,254 in favour of Cammeray.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $356 per year. Northbridge is 6.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $364 per year, $6,295 from Cammeray versus $6,659 from Northbridge.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Cammeray by $14 a year, $1,327 against $1,341.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cammeray by $356 a year, $1,760 against $2,116.
- Building insurance favours Cammeray by $350 a year, $1,500 against $1,850.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cammeray cumulative | Northbridge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,135 | $6,855 | $720 |
| Year 3 | $18,963 | $21,188 | $2,225 |
| Year 5 | $32,572 | $36,394 | $3,822 |
| Year 10 | $70,331 | $78,585 | $8,254 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cammeray or Northbridge cheaper to live in?
Cammeray is cheaper to run by car at $6,135 per year versus $6,855 for Northbridge, a difference of $720 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cammeray and Northbridge?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,327 in Cammeray (North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in) and $1,341 in Northbridge (Willoughby rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cammeray and $1,548 in Northbridge. 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 Cammeray and Northbridge?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,760 from Cammeray and $2,116 from Northbridge to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Cammeray and $1,920 from Northbridge.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cammeray and Northbridge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cammeray costs a cumulative $70,331 and Northbridge costs $78,585 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,254 in favour of Cammeray. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cammeray and Northbridge suits you better?
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Sources: North Sydney Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 23.3% in and Willoughby 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.