Carramar vs Lansdowne: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Carramar (Fairfield rates (OLG) and Lansdowne (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (22.7 km and 21.8 km).
The two sit within $258 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 →Carramar
Lansdowne
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Carramar | Lansdowne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,377 | -$347 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,681 | $5,542 | +$139 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $3,000 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,209 | $11,467 | -$258 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,928 | $8,325 | -$397 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Carramar | Lansdowne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,615 | +$105 |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,113 | +$96 |
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 — Carramar vs Lansdowne (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Carramar and Lansdowne cost within $258 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,957, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $347 per year.
On public transport the gap is $397 per year, $7,928 from Carramar versus $8,325 from Lansdowne.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Carramar by $347 a year, $1,030 against $1,377.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lansdowne by $139 a year, $5,542 against $5,681.
- Building insurance favours Carramar by $50 a year, $2,950 against $3,000.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Carramar against medium in Lansdowne, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Lansdowne against low in Carramar, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Carramar cumulative | Lansdowne cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,209 | $11,467 | $258 |
| Year 3 | $34,646 | $35,443 | $797 |
| Year 5 | $59,510 | $60,880 | $1,370 |
| Year 10 | $128,499 | $131,456 | $2,957 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carramar or Lansdowne cheaper to live in?
Carramar is cheaper to run by car at $11,209 per year versus $11,467 for Lansdowne, a difference of $258 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Carramar and Lansdowne?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Carramar (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Lansdowne (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Carramar and $1,548 in Lansdowne. 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 Carramar and Lansdowne?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,681 from Carramar and $5,542 from Lansdowne to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Carramar and $2,400 from Lansdowne.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Carramar and Lansdowne?
At 3% annual cost growth, Carramar costs a cumulative $128,499 and Lansdowne costs $131,456 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,957 in favour of Carramar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Carramar and Lansdowne 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: Fairfield rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.