Catherine Field vs Oran Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Catherine Field and Oran Park are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 43.5 km and 44.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $24 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.
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Oran Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Catherine Field | Oran Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,936 | $6,912 | +$24 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,657 | $11,633 | +$24 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,121 | $7,121 | - |
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 | Catherine Field | Oran Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Catherine Field vs Oran Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Catherine Field and Oran Park cost within $24 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $275, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $24 per year. Oran Park is 44.2 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, $7,121 and $7,121 a year, so the $24 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,573 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Oran Park by $24 a year, $6,912 against $6,936.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,600 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 | Catherine Field cumulative | Oran Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,657 | $11,633 | $24 |
| Year 3 | $36,031 | $35,956 | $75 |
| Year 5 | $61,889 | $61,761 | $128 |
| Year 10 | $133,634 | $133,359 | $275 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Catherine Field or Oran Park cheaper to live in?
Oran Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,633 per year versus $11,657 for Catherine Field, a difference of $24 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Catherine Field and Oran Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Catherine Field (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Oran Park (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Catherine Field and $1,548 in Oran Park. 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 Catherine Field and Oran Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,936 from Catherine Field and $6,912 from Oran Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Catherine Field and $2,400 from Oran Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Catherine Field and Oran Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Catherine Field costs a cumulative $133,634 and Oran Park costs $133,359 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $275 in favour of Oran Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Catherine Field and Oran Park suits you better?
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Sources: Camden rates (OLG and Camden 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.