Fairfield East vs Villawood: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fairfield East (Fairfield rates (OLG) and Villawood (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (22.1 km and 20.7 km).
The two sit within $127 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 →Fairfield East
Villawood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairfield East | Villawood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,377 | -$347 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,405 | $5,185 | +$220 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,283 | $10,410 | -$127 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,278 | $7,625 | -$347 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fairfield East | Villawood | 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 — Fairfield East vs Villawood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairfield East and Villawood cost within $127 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,456, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $347 per year.
On public transport the gap is $347 per year, $7,278 from Fairfield East versus $7,625 from Villawood.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairfield East cumulative | Villawood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,283 | $10,410 | $127 |
| Year 3 | $31,784 | $32,176 | $392 |
| Year 5 | $54,594 | $55,268 | $674 |
| Year 10 | $117,883 | $119,339 | $1,456 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairfield East or Villawood cheaper to live in?
Fairfield East is cheaper to run by car at $10,283 per year versus $10,410 for Villawood, a difference of $127 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fairfield East and Villawood?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Fairfield East (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Villawood (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fairfield East and $1,548 in Villawood. 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 Villawood?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,405 from Fairfield East and $5,185 from Villawood to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairfield East and $2,400 from Villawood.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairfield East and Villawood?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairfield East costs a cumulative $117,883 and Villawood costs $119,339 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,456 in favour of Fairfield East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairfield East and Villawood 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 Canterbury-Bankstown 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.