Camperdown vs Forest Lodge, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Camperdown and Forest Lodge are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.6 km and 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 $193 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, Forest Lodge costs about $2,200 less to run than Camperdown. That's about $4 a week.
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Forest Lodge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Camperdown | Forest Lodge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,202 | $1,009 | +$193 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,524 | $5,331 | +$193 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,242 | $6,242 | - |
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 | Camperdown | Forest Lodge | 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, Camperdown vs Forest Lodge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Camperdown and Forest Lodge cost within $193 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,212, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $193 per year. Camperdown is 3.6 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, $6,242 and $6,242 a year, so the $193 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $924 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Forest Lodge by $193 a year, $1,009 against $1,202.
- 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 | Camperdown cumulative | Forest Lodge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,524 | $5,331 | $193 |
| Year 3 | $17,074 | $16,478 | $596 |
| Year 5 | $29,328 | $28,303 | $1,025 |
| Year 10 | $63,326 | $61,114 | $2,212 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Camperdown or Forest Lodge cheaper to live in?
Forest Lodge is cheaper to run by car at $5,331 per year versus $5,524 for Camperdown, a difference of $193 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Camperdown and Forest Lodge?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Camperdown (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Forest Lodge (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Camperdown and $1,548 in Forest Lodge. 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 Camperdown and Forest Lodge?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,202 from Camperdown and $1,009 from Forest Lodge to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Camperdown and $1,920 from Forest Lodge.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Camperdown and Forest Lodge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Camperdown costs a cumulative $63,326 and Forest Lodge costs $61,114 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,212 in favour of Forest Lodge. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Camperdown and Forest Lodge suits you better?
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Sources: Sydney rates (OLG and Sydney 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.