Birrong vs Potts Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Birrong and Potts Hill are both Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 17.5 km and 16.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $140 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 →Birrong
Potts Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Birrong | Potts Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,778 | $4,638 | +$140 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,553 | $9,413 | +$140 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,161 | $7,161 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Birrong | Potts Hill | 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 — Birrong vs Potts Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Birrong and Potts Hill cost within $140 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,605, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $140 per year. Birrong is 17.5 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, $7,161 and $7,161 a year, so the $140 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Potts Hill by $140 a year, $4,638 against $4,778.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Birrong cumulative | Potts Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,553 | $9,413 | $140 |
| Year 3 | $29,527 | $29,095 | $432 |
| Year 5 | $50,718 | $49,975 | $743 |
| Year 10 | $109,514 | $107,909 | $1,605 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Birrong or Potts Hill cheaper to live in?
Potts Hill is cheaper to run by car at $9,413 per year versus $9,553 for Birrong, a difference of $140 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Birrong and Potts Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,377 in Birrong (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Potts Hill (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Birrong and $1,548 in Potts Hill. 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 Birrong and Potts Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,778 from Birrong and $4,638 from Potts Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Birrong and $2,386 from Potts Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Birrong and Potts Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Birrong costs a cumulative $109,514 and Potts Hill costs $107,909 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,605 in favour of Potts Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Birrong and Potts Hill 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 Canterbury-Bankstown 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.