Bonnyrigg vs St Johns Park, 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 St Johns Park are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 29.4 km and 28.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $118 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, St Johns Park costs about $1,400 less to run than Bonnyrigg. That's about $3 a week.
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St Johns Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnyrigg | St Johns Park | 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 | $6,380 | +$118 |
| 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 | $10,558 | +$118 |
| 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 | St Johns Park | 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 St Johns Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnyrigg and St Johns Park cost within $118 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,352, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $118 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 $118 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 St Johns Park by $118 a year, $6,380 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 6.6 in St Johns Park against 4.8 in Bonnyrigg, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnyrigg cumulative | St Johns Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,676 | $10,558 | $118 |
| Year 3 | $32,998 | $32,634 | $364 |
| Year 5 | $56,680 | $56,054 | $626 |
| Year 10 | $122,388 | $121,036 | $1,352 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnyrigg or St Johns Park cheaper to live in?
St Johns Park is cheaper to run by car at $10,558 per year versus $10,676 for Bonnyrigg, a difference of $118 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnyrigg and St Johns Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Bonnyrigg (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in St Johns Park (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bonnyrigg and $1,548 in St Johns Park. 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 St Johns Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,498 from Bonnyrigg and $6,380 from St Johns Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonnyrigg and $2,400 from St Johns Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnyrigg and St Johns Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnyrigg costs a cumulative $122,388 and St Johns Park costs $121,036 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,352 in favour of St Johns Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnyrigg and St Johns Park 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.