Raby vs St Andrews: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Raby and St Andrews are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 39.9 km and 38.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $9 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 →Raby
St Andrews
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Raby | St Andrews | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,988 | $6,979 | +$9 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,883 | $11,874 | +$9 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,295 | $7,295 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Raby | St Andrews | 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 — Raby vs St Andrews (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Raby and St Andrews cost within $9 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $103, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $9 per year. Raby is 39.9 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, $7,295 and $7,295 a year, so the $9 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,497 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours St Andrews by $9 a year, $6,979 against $6,988.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Raby cumulative | St Andrews cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,883 | $11,874 | $9 |
| Year 3 | $36,729 | $36,701 | $28 |
| Year 5 | $63,088 | $63,041 | $47 |
| Year 10 | $136,225 | $136,122 | $103 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raby or St Andrews cheaper to live in?
St Andrews is cheaper to run by car at $11,874 per year versus $11,883 for Raby, a difference of $9 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Raby and St Andrews?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Raby (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in St Andrews (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Raby and $1,548 in St Andrews. 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 Raby and St Andrews?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,988 from Raby and $6,979 from St Andrews to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Raby and $2,400 from St Andrews.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Raby and St Andrews?
At 3% annual cost growth, Raby costs a cumulative $136,225 and St Andrews costs $136,122 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $103 in favour of St Andrews. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Raby and St Andrews 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: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown 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.