Belfield vs Strathfield South: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Belfield (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and Strathfield South (Strathfield rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (12.2 km and 12.3 km).
The two sit within $44 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 →Belfield
Strathfield South
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belfield | Strathfield South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,309 | +$68 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,613 | $3,637 | -$24 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,838 | $8,794 | +$44 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,611 | $7,543 | +$68 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Belfield | Strathfield South | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Belfield vs Strathfield South (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belfield and Strathfield South cost within $44 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $505, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $68 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,611 and $7,543 a year, so the $44 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Strathfield South by $68 a year, $1,309 against $1,377.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Belfield by $24 a year, $3,613 against $3,637.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 8.1 in Strathfield South against 5.4 in Belfield, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Belfield cumulative | Strathfield South cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,838 | $8,794 | $44 |
| Year 3 | $27,317 | $27,181 | $136 |
| Year 5 | $46,922 | $46,689 | $233 |
| Year 10 | $101,318 | $100,813 | $505 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belfield or Strathfield South cheaper to live in?
Strathfield South is cheaper to run by car at $8,794 per year versus $8,838 for Belfield, a difference of $44 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belfield and Strathfield South?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Belfield (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,309 in Strathfield South (Strathfield rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Belfield and $1,548 in Strathfield South. 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 Belfield and Strathfield South?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,613 from Belfield and $3,637 from Strathfield South to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Belfield and $2,386 from Strathfield South.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belfield and Strathfield South?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belfield costs a cumulative $101,318 and Strathfield South costs $100,813 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $505 in favour of Strathfield South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belfield and Strathfield South 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: Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG and Strathfield rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.