Cams Wharf vs Pinny Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cams Wharf and Pinny Beach are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 90.9 km and 92.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $73 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 →Cams Wharf
Pinny Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cams Wharf | Pinny Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,971 | $4,044 | -$73 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,961 | $10,034 | -$73 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $8,390 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cams Wharf | Pinny Beach | 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 — Cams Wharf vs Pinny Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cams Wharf and Pinny Beach cost within $73 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $837, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $73 per year. Pinny Beach is 92.6 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, $8,390 and $8,390 a year, so the $73 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Cams Wharf by $73 a year, $3,971 against $4,044.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,850 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 | Cams Wharf cumulative | Pinny Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,961 | $10,034 | $73 |
| Year 3 | $30,788 | $31,014 | $226 |
| Year 5 | $52,884 | $53,272 | $388 |
| Year 10 | $114,192 | $115,029 | $837 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cams Wharf or Pinny Beach cheaper to live in?
Cams Wharf is cheaper to run by car at $9,961 per year versus $10,034 for Pinny Beach, a difference of $73 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cams Wharf and Pinny Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Cams Wharf (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Pinny Beach (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Cams Wharf and $1,377 in Pinny Beach. 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 Cams Wharf and Pinny Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,971 from Cams Wharf and $4,044 from Pinny Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cams Wharf and $2,400 from Pinny Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cams Wharf and Pinny Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cams Wharf costs a cumulative $114,192 and Pinny Beach costs $115,029 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $837 in favour of Cams Wharf. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cams Wharf and Pinny Beach 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.