Dean Park vs Nirimba Fields: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dean Park and Nirimba Fields are both Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for suburbs, sitting 35 km and 35.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $25 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 →Dean Park
Nirimba Fields
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dean Park | Nirimba Fields | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,360 | $1,360 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,880 | $6,905 | -$25 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,088 | $12,113 | -$25 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,608 | $7,608 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dean Park | Nirimba Fields | 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 — Dean Park vs Nirimba Fields (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dean Park and Nirimba Fields cost within $25 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $287, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $25 per year. Nirimba Fields is 35.6 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, $7,608 and $7,608 a year, so the $25 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,360 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Dean Park by $25 a year, $6,880 against $6,905.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 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.
The catchment state school scores 9.2 in Nirimba Fields against 5.9 in Dean Park, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dean Park cumulative | Nirimba Fields cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,088 | $12,113 | $25 |
| Year 3 | $37,363 | $37,440 | $77 |
| Year 5 | $64,177 | $64,310 | $133 |
| Year 10 | $138,575 | $138,862 | $287 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dean Park or Nirimba Fields cheaper to live in?
Dean Park is cheaper to run by car at $12,088 per year versus $12,113 for Nirimba Fields, a difference of $25 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dean Park and Nirimba Fields?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Dean Park (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,360 in Nirimba Fields (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dean Park and $1,548 in Nirimba Fields. 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 Dean Park and Nirimba Fields?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,880 from Dean Park and $6,905 from Nirimba Fields to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Dean Park and $2,400 from Nirimba Fields.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dean Park and Nirimba Fields?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dean Park costs a cumulative $138,575 and Nirimba Fields costs $138,862 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $287 in favour of Dean Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dean Park and Nirimba Fields 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: Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.