Bonnyrigg vs Heckenberg: 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 (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 $372 a year cheaper than Heckenberg, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,265.
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
Heckenberg
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnyrigg | Heckenberg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,376 | -$346 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,284 | $6,310 | -$26 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,712 | $11,084 | -$372 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,828 | $7,174 | -$346 |
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 | Heckenberg | 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 Heckenberg (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnyrigg costs $372 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,265 in favour of Bonnyrigg.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $346 per year.
On public transport the gap is $346 per year, $6,828 from Bonnyrigg versus $7,174 from Heckenberg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnyrigg cumulative | Heckenberg cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,712 | $11,084 | $372 |
| Year 3 | $33,110 | $34,260 | $1,150 |
| Year 5 | $56,871 | $58,846 | $1,975 |
| Year 10 | $122,801 | $127,066 | $4,265 |
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 $10,712 per year versus $11,084 for Heckenberg, a difference of $372 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $6,284 from Bonnyrigg and $6,310 from Heckenberg to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $122,801 and Heckenberg costs $127,066 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,265 in favour of Bonnyrigg. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnyrigg and Heckenberg 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.