Cabramatta vs Liverpool, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $463 a year cheaper than Liverpool, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,308.
Over 10 years, Cabramatta costs about $5,300 less to run than Liverpool. That's about $10 a week.
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Liverpool
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cabramatta | Liverpool | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,030 | $1,376 | -$346 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,132 | $6,349 | -$217 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,850 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,660 | $11,123 | -$463 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,928 | $7,174 | -$246 |
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 | Cabramatta | Liverpool | 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, Cabramatta vs Liverpool (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabramatta costs $463 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,308 in favour of Cabramatta.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $346 per year.
On public transport the gap is $246 per year, $6,928 from Cabramatta versus $7,174 from Liverpool.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Cabramatta by $346 a year, $1,030 against $1,376.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cabramatta by $217 a year, $6,132 against $6,349.
- Building insurance favours Liverpool by $100 a year, $1,850 against $1,950.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cabramatta cumulative | Liverpool cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,660 | $11,123 | $463 |
| Year 3 | $32,949 | $34,380 | $1,431 |
| Year 5 | $56,595 | $59,054 | $2,459 |
| Year 10 | $122,205 | $127,513 | $5,308 |
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 $10,660 per year versus $11,123 for Liverpool, a difference of $463 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,132 from Cabramatta and $6,349 from Liverpool to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $122,205 and Liverpool costs $127,513 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,308 in favour of Cabramatta. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cabramatta and Liverpool suits you better?
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Sources: Fairfield rates (OLG and Liverpool 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.