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 — the same as paying $10,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Waldegrave
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Spring Terrace | Waldegrave | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $775 | $969 | -$194 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,990 | $4,678 | -$688 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,065 | $8,947 | -$882 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,475 | $6,669 | -$194 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,475 and $6,669 a year, so the $882 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $2,000 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 | $8,065 | $8,947 | $882 |
| Year 3 | $24,928 | $27,654 | $2,726 |
| Year 5 | $42,818 | $47,501 | $4,683 |
| Year 10 | $92,456 | $102,567 | $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 $8,065 per year versus $8,947 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). Public transport costs $2,400 from Spring Terrace and $2,400 from Waldegrave.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Spring Terrace and Waldegrave?
At 3% annual cost growth, Spring Terrace costs a cumulative $92,456 and Waldegrave costs $102,567 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 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.