Cabramatta vs Warwick Farm: 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 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 $948 a year cheaper than Warwick Farm, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,868.
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) | $6,132 | $6,084 | +$48 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,010 | $11,958 | -$948 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,278 | $8,274 | -$996 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cabramatta | Warwick Farm | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $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 Warwick Farm (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabramatta costs $948 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,868 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.
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 Warwick Farm by $48 a year, $6,084 against $6,132.
- Building insurance favours Cabramatta by $650 a year, $2,300 against $2,950.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Warwick Farm against medium in Cabramatta, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cabramatta cumulative | Warwick Farm cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,010 | $11,958 | $948 |
| Year 3 | $34,031 | $36,961 | $2,930 |
| Year 5 | $58,454 | $63,487 | $5,033 |
| Year 10 | $126,217 | $137,085 | $10,868 |
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 $11,010 per year versus $11,958 for Warwick Farm, a difference of $948 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,132 from Cabramatta and $6,084 from Warwick Farm to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $126,217 and Warwick Farm costs $137,085 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,868 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.