Bonnyrigg vs Cabramatta West: 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 and Cabramatta West are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 29.4 km and 27.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $154 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 →Bonnyrigg
Cabramatta West
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnyrigg | Cabramatta West | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,284 | $6,130 | +$154 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,712 | $10,558 | +$154 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,828 | $6,828 | - |
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 | Cabramatta West | 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 vs Cabramatta West (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnyrigg and Cabramatta West cost within $154 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,765, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $154 per year. Bonnyrigg is 29.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,828 and $6,828 a year, so the $154 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnyrigg cumulative | Cabramatta West cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,712 | $10,558 | $154 |
| Year 3 | $33,110 | $32,634 | $476 |
| Year 5 | $56,871 | $56,054 | $817 |
| Year 10 | $122,801 | $121,036 | $1,765 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnyrigg or Cabramatta West cheaper to live in?
Cabramatta West is cheaper to run by car at $10,558 per year versus $10,712 for Bonnyrigg, a difference of $154 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnyrigg and Cabramatta West?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Bonnyrigg (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Cabramatta West (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bonnyrigg and $1,548 in Cabramatta West. 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 and Cabramatta West?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,284 from Bonnyrigg and $6,130 from Cabramatta West to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonnyrigg and $2,400 from Cabramatta West.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnyrigg and Cabramatta West?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnyrigg costs a cumulative $122,801 and Cabramatta West costs $121,036 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,765 in favour of Cabramatta West. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnyrigg and Cabramatta West 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 Fairfield 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.