Bonnyrigg vs Heckenberg, 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 (Fairfield rates (OLG) and Heckenberg (Liverpool rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (29.4 km and 29.7 km).
Bonnyrigg runs $373 a year cheaper than Heckenberg, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,276.
Over 10 years, Bonnyrigg costs about $4,300 less to run than Heckenberg. That's about $8 a week.
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Heckenberg
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnyrigg | Heckenberg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,030 | $1,376 | -$346 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,498 | $6,525 | -$27 |
| 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 | $11,049 | -$373 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,578 | $6,924 | -$346 |
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 | Heckenberg | 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 Heckenberg (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnyrigg costs $373 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,276 in favour of Bonnyrigg.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $346 per year.
On public transport the gap is $346 per year, $6,578 from Bonnyrigg versus $6,924 from Heckenberg.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bonnyrigg by $346 a year, $1,030 against $1,376.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bonnyrigg by $27 a year, $6,498 against $6,525.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,600 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.
The catchment state school scores 4.8 in Bonnyrigg against 2.2 in Heckenberg, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnyrigg cumulative | Heckenberg cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,676 | $11,049 | $373 |
| Year 3 | $32,998 | $34,151 | $1,153 |
| Year 5 | $56,680 | $58,661 | $1,981 |
| Year 10 | $122,388 | $126,664 | $4,276 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnyrigg or Heckenberg cheaper to live in?
Bonnyrigg is cheaper to run by car at $10,676 per year versus $11,049 for Heckenberg, a difference of $373 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnyrigg and Heckenberg?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Bonnyrigg (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Heckenberg (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bonnyrigg and $1,548 in Heckenberg. 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 Heckenberg?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,498 from Bonnyrigg and $6,525 from Heckenberg to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonnyrigg and $2,400 from Heckenberg.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnyrigg and Heckenberg?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnyrigg costs a cumulative $122,388 and Heckenberg costs $126,664 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,276 in favour of Bonnyrigg. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnyrigg and Heckenberg suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.