Cabramatta West vs St Johns Park: 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 West and St Johns Park are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 27.8 km and 28.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $41 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 West
St Johns Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cabramatta West | St Johns Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,339 | $6,380 | -$41 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,767 | $10,808 | -$41 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,828 | $6,828 | - |
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 West | St Johns Park | 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 West vs St Johns Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cabramatta West and St Johns Park cost within $41 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $470, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $41 per year. St Johns Park is 28.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,828 and $6,828 a year, so the $41 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,030 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cabramatta West by $41 a year, $6,339 against $6,380.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cabramatta West cumulative | St Johns Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,767 | $10,808 | $41 |
| Year 3 | $33,280 | $33,406 | $126 |
| Year 5 | $57,163 | $57,381 | $218 |
| Year 10 | $123,432 | $123,902 | $470 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cabramatta West or St Johns Park cheaper to live in?
Cabramatta West is cheaper to run by car at $10,767 per year versus $10,808 for St Johns Park, a difference of $41 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cabramatta West and St Johns Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Cabramatta West (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in St Johns Park (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Cabramatta West and $1,548 in St Johns Park. 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 West and St Johns Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,339 from Cabramatta West and $6,380 from St Johns Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cabramatta West and $2,400 from St Johns Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cabramatta West and St Johns Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cabramatta West costs a cumulative $123,432 and St Johns Park costs $123,902 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $470 in favour of Cabramatta West. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cabramatta West and St Johns Park 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.