Bonnyrigg vs Cabramatta West, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $159 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, Cabramatta West costs about $1,800 less to run than Bonnyrigg. That's about $4 a week.
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Cabramatta West
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnyrigg | Cabramatta West | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,498 | $6,339 | +$159 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,676 | $10,517 | +$159 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,578 | $6,578 | - |
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 | Bonnyrigg | Cabramatta West | 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, Bonnyrigg vs Cabramatta West (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnyrigg and Cabramatta West cost within $159 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,822, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $159 per year. Bonnyrigg is 29.4 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, $6,578 and $6,578 a year, so the $159 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,030 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cabramatta West by $159 a year, $6,339 against $6,498.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,600 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.
The catchment state school scores 6 in Cabramatta West against 4.8 in Bonnyrigg, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnyrigg cumulative | Cabramatta West cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,676 | $10,517 | $159 |
| Year 3 | $32,998 | $32,507 | $491 |
| Year 5 | $56,680 | $55,836 | $844 |
| Year 10 | $122,388 | $120,566 | $1,822 |
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 $10,517 per year versus $10,676 for Bonnyrigg, a difference of $159 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,498 from Bonnyrigg and $6,339 from Cabramatta West to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $122,388 and Cabramatta West costs $120,566 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,822 in favour of Cabramatta West. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnyrigg and Cabramatta West suits you better?
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Sources: Fairfield rates (OLG and Fairfield 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.