Narellan Vale vs Smeaton Grange, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Narellan Vale and Smeaton Grange are both Camden rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 47.6 km and 45.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $106 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, Narellan Vale costs about $1,200 less to run than Smeaton Grange. That's about $2 a week.
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Smeaton Grange
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Narellan Vale | Smeaton Grange | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,573 | $1,573 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,736 | $6,842 | -$106 |
| 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) | $11,457 | $11,563 | -$106 |
| 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 | Narellan Vale | Smeaton Grange | 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, Narellan Vale vs Smeaton Grange (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Narellan Vale and Smeaton Grange cost within $106 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,215, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $106 per year. Narellan Vale is 47.6 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, $7,121 and $7,121 a year, so the $106 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 Narellan Vale by $106 a year, $6,736 against $6,842.
- 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 | Narellan Vale cumulative | Smeaton Grange cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,457 | $11,563 | $106 |
| Year 3 | $35,412 | $35,740 | $328 |
| Year 5 | $60,827 | $61,390 | $563 |
| Year 10 | $131,342 | $132,557 | $1,215 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Narellan Vale or Smeaton Grange cheaper to live in?
Narellan Vale is cheaper to run by car at $11,457 per year versus $11,563 for Smeaton Grange, a difference of $106 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Narellan Vale and Smeaton Grange?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,573 in Narellan Vale (Camden rates (OLG) and $1,573 in Smeaton Grange (Camden rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Narellan Vale and $1,548 in Smeaton Grange. 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 Narellan Vale and Smeaton Grange?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,736 from Narellan Vale and $6,842 from Smeaton Grange to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Narellan Vale and $2,400 from Smeaton Grange.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Narellan Vale and Smeaton Grange?
At 3% annual cost growth, Narellan Vale costs a cumulative $131,342 and Smeaton Grange costs $132,557 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,215 in favour of Narellan Vale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Narellan Vale and Smeaton Grange 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.