Canley Vale vs Fairfield East: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Canley Vale and Fairfield East are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 24 km and 22.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fairfield East runs $922 a year cheaper than Canley Vale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,570.
Over 10 years, Fairfield East costs about $10,600 less to run than Canley Vale — the same as paying $10,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Fairfield East
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Canley Vale | Fairfield East | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,677 | $5,405 | +$272 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,300 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,205 | $10,283 | +$922 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,928 | $7,278 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Canley Vale | Fairfield East | 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 — Canley Vale vs Fairfield East (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairfield East costs $922 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,570 in favour of Fairfield East.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Canley Vale carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,928 from Canley Vale versus $7,278 from Fairfield East.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Canley Vale cumulative | Fairfield East cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,205 | $10,283 | $922 |
| Year 3 | $34,634 | $31,784 | $2,850 |
| Year 5 | $59,489 | $54,594 | $4,895 |
| Year 10 | $128,453 | $117,883 | $10,570 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canley Vale or Fairfield East cheaper to live in?
Fairfield East is cheaper to run by car at $10,283 per year versus $11,205 for Canley Vale, a difference of $922 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Canley Vale and Fairfield East?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Canley Vale (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Fairfield East (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Canley Vale and $1,548 in Fairfield East. 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 Vale and Fairfield East?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,677 from Canley Vale and $5,405 from Fairfield East to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Canley Vale and $2,400 from Fairfield East.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Canley Vale and Fairfield East?
At 3% annual cost growth, Canley Vale costs a cumulative $128,453 and Fairfield East costs $117,883 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,570 in favour of Fairfield East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Canley Vale and Fairfield East 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.