Fairfield Heights vs Fairfield: 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 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.
Fairfield Heights runs $450 a year cheaper than Fairfield, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 Heights
Fairfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairfield Heights | Fairfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,030 | $1,030 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,808 | $5,608 | +$200 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,300 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,686 | $11,136 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,278 | $7,928 | -$650 |
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 Heights | Fairfield | 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 Heights vs Fairfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairfield Heights costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Fairfield Heights.
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 Heights versus $7,928 from Fairfield.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairfield Heights cumulative | Fairfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,686 | $11,136 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $33,029 | $34,420 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $56,733 | $59,123 | $2,390 |
| Year 10 | $122,503 | $127,662 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairfield Heights or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Fairfield Heights is cheaper to run by car at $10,686 per year versus $11,136 for Fairfield, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. 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 $5,808 from Fairfield Heights and $5,608 from Fairfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $122,503 and Fairfield costs $127,662 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Fairfield Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairfield Heights 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.