Spring Terrace vs Waldegrave, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Spring Terrace (Cabonne rates (OLG) and Waldegrave (Blayney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Orange CBD (13.8 km and 17 km).
Spring Terrace runs $882 a year cheaper than Waldegrave, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,111.
Over 10 years, Spring Terrace costs about $10,100 less to run than Waldegrave. That's about $19 a week.
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Waldegrave
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Spring Terrace | Waldegrave | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $775 | $969 | -$194 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,990 | $4,678 | -$688 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,990 | $4,678 | -$688 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,915 | $8,797 | -$882 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,915 | $8,797 | -$882 |
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 | Spring Terrace | Waldegrave | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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, Spring Terrace vs Waldegrave (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Spring Terrace costs $882 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,111 in favour of Spring Terrace.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $688 per year. Waldegrave is 17 km from Orange CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $882 per year, $7,915 from Spring Terrace versus $8,797 from Waldegrave.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Spring Terrace by $194 a year, $775 against $969.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Spring Terrace by $688 a year, $3,990 against $4,678.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Spring Terrace cumulative | Waldegrave cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,915 | $8,797 | $882 |
| Year 3 | $24,464 | $27,191 | $2,727 |
| Year 5 | $42,022 | $46,704 | $4,682 |
| Year 10 | $90,737 | $100,848 | $10,111 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spring Terrace or Waldegrave cheaper to live in?
Spring Terrace is cheaper to run by car at $7,915 per year versus $8,797 for Waldegrave, a difference of $882 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Spring Terrace and Waldegrave?
Annual council rates for a house are $775 in Spring Terrace (Cabonne rates (OLG) and $969 in Waldegrave (Blayney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Spring Terrace and $1,300 in Waldegrave. 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 Spring Terrace and Waldegrave?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,990 from Spring Terrace and $4,678 from Waldegrave to Orange CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Spring Terrace and Waldegrave?
At 3% annual cost growth, Spring Terrace costs a cumulative $90,737 and Waldegrave costs $100,848 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,111 in favour of Spring Terrace. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Spring Terrace and Waldegrave suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Cabonne rates (OLG and Blayney 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.