Bossley Park vs Prairiewood, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bossley Park and Prairiewood are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 30.1 km and 28.4 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, Prairiewood costs about $1,800 less to run than Bossley Park. That's about $4 a week.
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Prairiewood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bossley Park | Prairiewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,560 | $6,401 | +$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) | $10,738 | $10,579 | +$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 | Bossley Park | Prairiewood | 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, Bossley Park vs Prairiewood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bossley Park and Prairiewood cost within $159 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,823, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $159 per year. Bossley Park is 30.1 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 Prairiewood by $159 a year, $6,401 against $6,560.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bossley Park cumulative | Prairiewood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,738 | $10,579 | $159 |
| Year 3 | $33,190 | $32,699 | $491 |
| Year 5 | $57,010 | $56,165 | $845 |
| Year 10 | $123,099 | $121,276 | $1,823 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bossley Park or Prairiewood cheaper to live in?
Prairiewood is cheaper to run by car at $10,579 per year versus $10,738 for Bossley Park, 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 Bossley Park and Prairiewood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Bossley Park (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Prairiewood (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bossley Park and $1,548 in Prairiewood. 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 Bossley Park and Prairiewood?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,560 from Bossley Park and $6,401 from Prairiewood to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bossley Park and $2,400 from Prairiewood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bossley Park and Prairiewood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bossley Park costs a cumulative $123,099 and Prairiewood costs $121,276 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,823 in favour of Prairiewood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bossley Park and Prairiewood suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.