St Helens Park vs Wedderburn: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
St Helens Park and Wedderburn are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 44.9 km and 47 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $110 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 →St Helens Park
Wedderburn
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | St Helens Park | Wedderburn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,884 | $6,774 | +$110 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,479 | $12,369 | +$110 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,995 | $7,995 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | St Helens Park | Wedderburn | 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 — St Helens Park vs Wedderburn (2026-27)
What the numbers show
St Helens Park and Wedderburn cost within $110 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,261, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $110 per year. Wedderburn is 47 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, $7,995 and $7,995 a year, so the $110 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 Wedderburn by $110 a year, $6,774 against $6,884.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,550 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 | St Helens Park cumulative | Wedderburn cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,479 | $12,369 | $110 |
| Year 3 | $38,571 | $38,231 | $340 |
| Year 5 | $66,253 | $65,669 | $584 |
| Year 10 | $143,058 | $141,797 | $1,261 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is St Helens Park or Wedderburn cheaper to live in?
Wedderburn is cheaper to run by car at $12,369 per year versus $12,479 for St Helens Park, a difference of $110 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in St Helens Park and Wedderburn?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in St Helens Park (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Wedderburn (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in St Helens Park and $1,548 in Wedderburn. 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 St Helens Park and Wedderburn?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,884 from St Helens Park and $6,774 from Wedderburn to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from St Helens Park and $2,400 from Wedderburn.
What is the 10-year cost difference between St Helens Park and Wedderburn?
At 3% annual cost growth, St Helens Park costs a cumulative $143,058 and Wedderburn costs $141,797 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,261 in favour of Wedderburn. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of St Helens Park and Wedderburn 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.