Cabramatta vs Liverpool: 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 (Fairfield rates (OLG) and Liverpool (Liverpool rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (26 km and 27.9 km).
Cabramatta runs $556 a year cheaper than Liverpool, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,374.
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
Liverpool
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cabramatta | Liverpool | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,376 | -$346 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,930 | $6,140 | -$210 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,808 | $11,364 | -$556 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,278 | $7,624 | -$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 | Cabramatta | Liverpool | 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 Liverpool (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabramatta costs $556 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,374 in favour of Cabramatta.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $346 per year.
On public transport the gap is $346 per year, $7,278 from Cabramatta versus $7,624 from Liverpool.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cabramatta cumulative | Liverpool cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,808 | $11,364 | $556 |
| Year 3 | $33,406 | $35,125 | $1,719 |
| Year 5 | $57,381 | $60,333 | $2,952 |
| Year 10 | $123,902 | $130,276 | $6,374 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabramatta or Liverpool cheaper to live in?
Cabramatta is cheaper to run by car at $10,808 per year versus $11,364 for Liverpool, a difference of $556 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cabramatta and Liverpool?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Cabramatta (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Liverpool (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cabramatta and $1,548 in Liverpool. 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 Liverpool?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,930 from Cabramatta and $6,140 from Liverpool to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cabramatta and $2,400 from Liverpool.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cabramatta and Liverpool?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cabramatta costs a cumulative $123,902 and Liverpool costs $130,276 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,374 in favour of Cabramatta. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cabramatta and Liverpool 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.