Bonnyrigg Heights vs Cecil Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonnyrigg Heights (Fairfield rates (OLG) and Cecil Hills (Liverpool rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (31.4 km and 33.6 km).
Bonnyrigg Heights runs $785 a year cheaper than Cecil Hills, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,999.
Over 10 years, Bonnyrigg Heights costs about $9,000 less to run than Cecil Hills — the same as paying $9,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Cecil Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnyrigg Heights | Cecil Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,376 | -$346 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,446 | $6,585 | -$139 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,150 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,874 | $11,659 | -$785 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,828 | $7,474 | -$646 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bonnyrigg Heights | Cecil Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Bonnyrigg Heights vs Cecil Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnyrigg Heights costs $785 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,999 in favour of Bonnyrigg Heights.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $346 per year.
On public transport the gap is $646 per year, $6,828 from Bonnyrigg Heights versus $7,474 from Cecil Hills.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnyrigg Heights cumulative | Cecil Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,874 | $11,659 | $785 |
| Year 3 | $33,610 | $36,037 | $2,427 |
| Year 5 | $57,732 | $61,899 | $4,167 |
| Year 10 | $124,658 | $133,657 | $8,999 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnyrigg Heights or Cecil Hills cheaper to live in?
Bonnyrigg Heights is cheaper to run by car at $10,874 per year versus $11,659 for Cecil Hills, a difference of $785 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnyrigg Heights and Cecil Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Bonnyrigg Heights (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Cecil Hills (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bonnyrigg Heights and $1,548 in Cecil Hills. 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 Bonnyrigg Heights and Cecil Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,446 from Bonnyrigg Heights and $6,585 from Cecil Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonnyrigg Heights and $2,400 from Cecil Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnyrigg Heights and Cecil Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnyrigg Heights costs a cumulative $124,658 and Cecil Hills costs $133,657 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,999 in favour of Bonnyrigg Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnyrigg Heights and Cecil Hills 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: Fairfield rates (OLG and Liverpool rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.