Fairfield East vs Villawood, 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 (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 $120 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, Fairfield East costs about $1,400 less to run than Villawood. That's about $3 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Sydney suburbs that fit your budget →Fairfield East
Villawood
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairfield East | Villawood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,030 | $1,377 | -$347 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,589 | $5,362 | +$227 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,017 | $10,137 | -$120 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,828 | $7,175 | -$347 |
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 | Fairfield East | Villawood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,615 | +$105 |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,113 | +$96 |
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 Villawood (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairfield East and Villawood cost within $120 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,375, 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, $6,828 from Fairfield East versus $7,175 from Villawood.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Fairfield East by $347 a year, $1,030 against $1,377.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Villawood by $227 a year, $5,362 against $5,589.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairfield East cumulative | Villawood cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,017 | $10,137 | $120 |
| Year 3 | $30,962 | $31,332 | $370 |
| Year 5 | $53,182 | $53,819 | $637 |
| Year 10 | $114,834 | $116,209 | $1,375 |
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 $10,017 per year versus $10,137 for Villawood, a difference of $120 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 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 $5,589 from Fairfield East and $5,362 from Villawood to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $114,834 and Villawood costs $116,209 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,375 in favour of Fairfield East. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairfield East and Villawood suits you better?
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.