Elderslie vs Spring Farm: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Elderslie and Spring Farm are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 50.6 km and 50.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Elderslie runs $335 a year cheaper than Spring Farm, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,840.
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 →Elderslie
Spring Farm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Elderslie | Spring Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,284 | $6,319 | -$35 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,255 | $11,590 | -$335 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,371 | $7,671 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Elderslie | Spring Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Elderslie vs Spring Farm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Elderslie costs $335 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,840 in favour of Elderslie.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,371 from Elderslie versus $7,671 from Spring Farm.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Elderslie cumulative | Spring Farm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,255 | $11,590 | $335 |
| Year 3 | $34,788 | $35,824 | $1,036 |
| Year 5 | $59,754 | $61,533 | $1,779 |
| Year 10 | $129,026 | $132,866 | $3,840 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Elderslie or Spring Farm cheaper to live in?
Elderslie is cheaper to run by car at $11,255 per year versus $11,590 for Spring Farm, a difference of $335 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Elderslie and Spring Farm?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Elderslie (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Spring Farm (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Elderslie and $1,548 in Spring Farm. 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 Elderslie and Spring Farm?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,284 from Elderslie and $6,319 from Spring Farm to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Elderslie and $2,400 from Spring Farm.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Elderslie and Spring Farm?
At 3% annual cost growth, Elderslie costs a cumulative $129,026 and Spring Farm costs $132,866 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,840 in favour of Elderslie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Elderslie and Spring Farm 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: Camden rates (OLG and Camden 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.