Burwood vs Canada Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burwood (Burwood rates (OLG) and Canada Bay (Canada Bay rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (9.6 km and 8.7 km).
The two sit within $48 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 →Burwood
Canada Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burwood | Canada Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,731 | $1,268 | +$463 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,855 | $2,620 | +$235 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,434 | $8,386 | +$48 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,499 | $7,686 | -$187 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Burwood | Canada Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Burwood vs Canada Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burwood and Canada Bay cost within $48 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $550, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Canada Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,499 and $7,686 a year, so the $48 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Burwood cumulative | Canada Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,434 | $8,386 | $48 |
| Year 3 | $26,069 | $25,920 | $149 |
| Year 5 | $44,777 | $44,522 | $255 |
| Year 10 | $96,686 | $96,136 | $550 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burwood or Canada Bay cheaper to live in?
Canada Bay is cheaper to run by car at $8,386 per year versus $8,434 for Burwood, a difference of $48 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burwood and Canada Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,731 in Burwood (Burwood rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Canada Bay (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Burwood and $1,548 in Canada Bay. 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 Burwood and Canada Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,855 from Burwood and $2,620 from Canada Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Burwood and $1,920 from Canada Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burwood and Canada Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burwood costs a cumulative $96,686 and Canada Bay costs $96,136 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $550 in favour of Canada Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burwood and Canada Bay 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: Burwood rates (OLG and Canada Bay 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.