Fairfield Heights 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 Heights and Fairfield are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 25 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 $293 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 the gap between these two is about $3,400, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Fairfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairfield Heights | 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 | $6,006 | $5,799 | +$207 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $2,450 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,534 | $10,827 | -$293 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,928 | $7,428 | -$500 |
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 Heights | 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 Heights vs Fairfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairfield Heights and Fairfield differ by $293 a year by car, but $500 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $207, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year. Fairfield carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $6,928 from Fairfield Heights versus $7,428 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 by $207 a year, $5,799 against $6,006.
- Building insurance favours Fairfield Heights by $500 a year, $1,950 against $2,450.
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 Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairfield Heights cumulative | Fairfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,534 | $10,827 | $293 |
| Year 3 | $32,560 | $33,465 | $905 |
| Year 5 | $55,926 | $57,482 | $1,556 |
| Year 10 | $120,761 | $124,119 | $3,358 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairfield Heights or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Fairfield Heights runs $10,534 a year by car and Fairfield $10,827, but most of the $293 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $207. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fairfield Heights and Fairfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Fairfield Heights (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Fairfield (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fairfield Heights 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 Heights and Fairfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,006 from Fairfield Heights and $5,799 from Fairfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairfield Heights and $2,400 from Fairfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairfield Heights and Fairfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairfield Heights costs a cumulative $120,761 and Fairfield costs $124,119 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,358 in favour of Fairfield Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairfield Heights and Fairfield 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.
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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.