Cammeray vs Northbridge: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $358 a year cheaper than Northbridge, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,104.
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 →Cammeray
Northbridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cammeray | Northbridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,327 | $1,341 | -$14 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,702 | $2,046 | -$344 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,427 | $6,785 | -$358 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,645 | $6,659 | -$14 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cammeray | Northbridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 $358 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,104 in favour of Cammeray.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $344 per year. Northbridge is 6.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,645 and $6,659 a year, so the $358 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cammeray cumulative | Northbridge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,427 | $6,785 | $358 |
| Year 3 | $19,865 | $20,972 | $1,107 |
| Year 5 | $34,122 | $36,022 | $1,900 |
| Year 10 | $73,678 | $77,782 | $4,104 |
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 $6,427 per year versus $6,785 for Northbridge, a difference of $358 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,702 from Cammeray and $2,046 from Northbridge to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $73,678 and Northbridge costs $77,782 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,104 in favour of Cammeray. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cammeray and Northbridge 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.