Fairfield East 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
Fairfield East and Fairfield are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.1 km and 23.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fairfield East runs $860 a year cheaper than Fairfield, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,859.
Over 10 years, Fairfield East costs about $9,900 less to run than Fairfield — the same as paying $9,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Fairfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairfield East | Fairfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,589 | $5,799 | -$210 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,467 | $11,327 | -$860 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,278 | $7,928 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fairfield East | 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 — Fairfield East vs Fairfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairfield East costs $860 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,859 in favour of Fairfield East.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Fairfield carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,278 from Fairfield East versus $7,928 from Fairfield.
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 East by $210 a year, $5,589 against $5,799.
- Building insurance favours Fairfield East by $650 a year, $2,300 against $2,950.
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 high in Fairfield against medium in Fairfield East, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairfield East cumulative | Fairfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,467 | $11,327 | $860 |
| Year 3 | $32,352 | $35,011 | $2,659 |
| Year 5 | $55,571 | $60,137 | $4,566 |
| Year 10 | $119,992 | $129,851 | $9,859 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairfield East or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Fairfield East is cheaper to run by car at $10,467 per year versus $11,327 for Fairfield, a difference of $860 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fairfield East and Fairfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Fairfield East (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Fairfield (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fairfield East 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 Fairfield East and Fairfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,589 from Fairfield East and $5,799 from Fairfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairfield East and $2,400 from Fairfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairfield East and Fairfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairfield East costs a cumulative $119,992 and Fairfield costs $129,851 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,859 in favour of Fairfield East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairfield East and Fairfield 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.