Canley Vale vs Fairfield, 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 Vale and Fairfield are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 24 km and 23.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $72 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.
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Fairfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Canley Vale | Fairfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,871 | $5,799 | +$72 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,899 | $10,827 | +$72 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,428 | $7,428 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Canley Vale | Fairfield | 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 Vale vs Fairfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Canley Vale and Fairfield cost within $72 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $826, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $72 per year. Canley Vale is 24 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, $7,428 and $7,428 a year, so the $72 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 Fairfield by $72 a year, $5,799 against $5,871.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,450 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 | Canley Vale cumulative | Fairfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,899 | $10,827 | $72 |
| Year 3 | $33,688 | $33,465 | $223 |
| Year 5 | $57,864 | $57,482 | $382 |
| Year 10 | $124,945 | $124,119 | $826 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canley Vale or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Fairfield is cheaper to run by car at $10,827 per year versus $10,899 for Canley Vale, a difference of $72 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Canley Vale and Fairfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Canley Vale (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Fairfield (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Canley Vale and $1,548 in Fairfield. 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?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,871 from Canley Vale and $5,799 from Fairfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Canley Vale and $2,400 from Fairfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Canley Vale and Fairfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Canley Vale costs a cumulative $124,945 and Fairfield costs $124,119 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $826 in favour of Fairfield. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Canley Vale and Fairfield suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.