Cabramatta vs Cabramatta West: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cabramatta and Cabramatta West are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 26 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 $250 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 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 →Cabramatta
Cabramatta West
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cabramatta | Cabramatta West | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,930 | $6,130 | -$200 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,808 | $10,558 | +$250 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,278 | $6,828 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cabramatta | Cabramatta West | 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 — Cabramatta vs Cabramatta West (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabramatta and Cabramatta West cost within $250 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,866, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Cabramatta carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,278 from Cabramatta versus $6,828 from Cabramatta West.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cabramatta cumulative | Cabramatta West cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,808 | $10,558 | $250 |
| Year 3 | $33,406 | $32,634 | $772 |
| Year 5 | $57,381 | $56,054 | $1,327 |
| Year 10 | $123,902 | $121,036 | $2,866 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabramatta or Cabramatta West cheaper to live in?
Cabramatta West is cheaper to run by car at $10,558 per year versus $10,808 for Cabramatta, a difference of $250 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cabramatta and Cabramatta West?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Cabramatta (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Cabramatta West (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cabramatta 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 Cabramatta and Cabramatta West?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,930 from Cabramatta and $6,130 from Cabramatta West to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cabramatta and $2,400 from Cabramatta West.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cabramatta and Cabramatta West?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cabramatta costs a cumulative $123,902 and Cabramatta West costs $121,036 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,866 in favour of Cabramatta West. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cabramatta and Cabramatta West 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 Fairfield 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.