Fairfield Heights vs Fairfield West, 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 West are both Fairfield rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 25 km and 26.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $187 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 Heights costs about $2,100 less to run than Fairfield West. That's about $4 a week.
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Fairfield West
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairfield Heights | Fairfield West | 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 | $6,193 | -$187 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,534 | $10,721 | -$187 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,928 | $6,928 | - |
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 West | 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 West (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairfield Heights and Fairfield West cost within $187 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,143, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $187 per year. Fairfield West is 26.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,928 and $6,928 a year, so the $187 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Heights by $187 a year, $6,006 against $6,193.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,950 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairfield Heights cumulative | Fairfield West cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,534 | $10,721 | $187 |
| Year 3 | $32,560 | $33,138 | $578 |
| Year 5 | $55,926 | $56,919 | $993 |
| Year 10 | $120,761 | $122,904 | $2,143 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairfield Heights or Fairfield West cheaper to live in?
Fairfield Heights is cheaper to run by car at $10,534 per year versus $10,721 for Fairfield West, a difference of $187 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fairfield Heights and Fairfield West?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,030 in Fairfield Heights (Fairfield rates (OLG) and $1,030 in Fairfield West (Fairfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Fairfield Heights and $1,548 in Fairfield West. 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 West?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,006 from Fairfield Heights and $6,193 from Fairfield West to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairfield Heights and $2,400 from Fairfield West.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairfield Heights and Fairfield West?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairfield Heights costs a cumulative $120,761 and Fairfield West costs $122,904 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,143 in favour of Fairfield Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairfield Heights and Fairfield West suits you better?
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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.