Fairholme vs Mulguthrie, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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.
The two sit within $11 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.
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Mulguthrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fairholme | Mulguthrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $776 | $987 | -$211 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,050 | $1,850 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,326 | $22,337 | -$11 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,326 | $22,337 | -$11 |
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 | Fairholme | Mulguthrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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, Fairholme vs Mulguthrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fairholme and Mulguthrie cost within $11 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $126, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $211 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $22,326 and $22,337 a year, so the $11 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Fairholme by $211 a year, $776 against $987.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Mulguthrie by $200 a year, $1,850 against $2,050.
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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Fairholme against low in Mulguthrie, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fairholme cumulative | Mulguthrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,326 | $22,337 | $11 |
| Year 3 | $69,007 | $69,041 | $34 |
| Year 5 | $118,532 | $118,590 | $58 |
| Year 10 | $255,943 | $256,069 | $126 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairholme or Mulguthrie cheaper to live in?
Fairholme is cheaper to run by car at $22,326 per year versus $22,337 for Mulguthrie, a difference of $11 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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?
Fairholme carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Mulguthrie carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fairholme and Mulguthrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fairholme costs a cumulative $255,943 and Mulguthrie costs $256,069 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $126 in favour of Fairholme. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fairholme and Mulguthrie 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: Lachlan rates (OLG and Forbes 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.