Fairholme vs Mulguthrie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fairholme (Lachlan rates (OLG) and Mulguthrie (Forbes rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (361.4 km and 362.7 km).
The two sit within $89 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 →Fairholme
Mulguthrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairholme | Mulguthrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $776 | $987 | -$211 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,776 | $22,687 | +$89 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,576 | $7,487 | +$89 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fairholme | Mulguthrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,453 | $2,453 | - |
| Unit | $1,944 | $1,944 | - |
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 — Fairholme vs Mulguthrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairholme and Mulguthrie cost within $89 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,020, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Fairholme carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,576 and $7,487 a year, so the $89 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairholme cumulative | Mulguthrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,776 | $22,687 | $89 |
| Year 3 | $70,398 | $70,123 | $275 |
| Year 5 | $120,921 | $120,448 | $473 |
| Year 10 | $261,101 | $260,081 | $1,020 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairholme or Mulguthrie cheaper to live in?
Mulguthrie is cheaper to run by car at $22,687 per year versus $22,776 for Fairholme, a difference of $89 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fairholme and Mulguthrie?
Annual council rates for a house are $776 in Fairholme (Lachlan rates (OLG) and $987 in Mulguthrie (Forbes rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fairholme and $1,300 in Mulguthrie. 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 Fairholme and Mulguthrie?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Fairholme and $17,600 from Mulguthrie to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fairholme and $2,400 from Mulguthrie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairholme and Mulguthrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairholme costs a cumulative $261,101 and Mulguthrie costs $260,081 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,020 in favour of Mulguthrie. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairholme and Mulguthrie 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: Lachlan rates (OLG and Forbes 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.