Cabramatta vs Warwick Farm: 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 Warwick Farm (Liverpool rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (26 km and 25.6 km).
Cabramatta runs $949 a year cheaper than Warwick Farm, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,879.
Over 10 years, Cabramatta costs about $10,900 less to run than Warwick Farm — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Cabramatta
Warwick Farm
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cabramatta | Warwick Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,376 | -$346 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,930 | $5,883 | +$47 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,808 | $11,757 | -$949 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,278 | $8,274 | -$996 |
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 | Warwick Farm | 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 Warwick Farm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabramatta costs $949 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,879 in favour of Cabramatta.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Warwick Farm carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $996 per year, $7,278 from Cabramatta versus $8,274 from Warwick Farm.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cabramatta cumulative | Warwick Farm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,808 | $11,757 | $949 |
| Year 3 | $33,406 | $36,340 | $2,934 |
| Year 5 | $57,381 | $62,420 | $5,039 |
| Year 10 | $123,902 | $134,781 | $10,879 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabramatta or Warwick Farm cheaper to live in?
Cabramatta is cheaper to run by car at $10,808 per year versus $11,757 for Warwick Farm, a difference of $949 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cabramatta and Warwick Farm?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Cabramatta (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Warwick Farm (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cabramatta and $1,548 in Warwick Farm. 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 Warwick Farm?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,930 from Cabramatta and $5,883 from Warwick Farm to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cabramatta and $2,400 from Warwick Farm.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cabramatta and Warwick Farm?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cabramatta costs a cumulative $123,902 and Warwick Farm costs $134,781 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,879 in favour of Cabramatta. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cabramatta and Warwick Farm 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.