Canley Heights 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
Canley Heights and St Johns Park are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 26.5 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 $263 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 →Canley Heights
St Johns Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Canley Heights | St Johns Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,193 | $6,380 | -$187 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,071 | $10,808 | +$263 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,278 | $6,828 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Canley Heights | 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 — Canley Heights vs St Johns Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Canley Heights and St Johns Park cost within $263 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,015, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Canley Heights carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,278 from Canley Heights versus $6,828 from St Johns Park.
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 Canley Heights by $187 a year, $6,193 against $6,380.
- Building insurance favours St Johns Park by $450 a year, $1,850 against $2,300.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Canley Heights against low in St Johns Park, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.6 in St Johns Park against 4.4 in Canley Heights, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Canley Heights cumulative | St Johns Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,071 | $10,808 | $263 |
| Year 3 | $34,219 | $33,406 | $813 |
| Year 5 | $58,777 | $57,381 | $1,396 |
| Year 10 | $126,917 | $123,902 | $3,015 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canley Heights or St Johns Park cheaper to live in?
St Johns Park is cheaper to run by car at $10,808 per year versus $11,071 for Canley Heights, a difference of $263 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Canley Heights and St Johns Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Canley Heights (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in St Johns Park (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Canley Heights 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 Canley Heights and St Johns Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,193 from Canley Heights and $6,380 from St Johns Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Canley Heights and $2,400 from St Johns Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Canley Heights and St Johns Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Canley Heights costs a cumulative $126,917 and St Johns Park costs $123,902 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,015 in favour of St Johns Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Canley Heights 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.