Canada Bay vs Five Dock: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Canada Bay and Five Dock are both Canada Bay rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.7 km and 7.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Five Dock runs $351 a year cheaper than Canada Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,024.
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 →Canada Bay
Five Dock
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Canada Bay | Five Dock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,268 | $1,268 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,620 | $2,269 | +$351 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,386 | $8,035 | +$351 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,686 | $7,686 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Canada Bay | Five Dock | 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 — Canada Bay vs Five Dock (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Five Dock costs $351 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,024 in favour of Five Dock.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $351 per year. Canada Bay is 8.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,686 and $7,686 a year, so the $351 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Canada Bay cumulative | Five Dock cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,386 | $8,035 | $351 |
| Year 3 | $25,920 | $24,835 | $1,085 |
| Year 5 | $44,522 | $42,659 | $1,863 |
| Year 10 | $96,136 | $92,112 | $4,024 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canada Bay or Five Dock cheaper to live in?
Five Dock is cheaper to run by car at $8,035 per year versus $8,386 for Canada Bay, a difference of $351 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Canada Bay and Five Dock?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Canada Bay (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Five Dock (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Canada Bay and $1,548 in Five Dock. 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 Canada Bay and Five Dock?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,620 from Canada Bay and $2,269 from Five Dock to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Canada Bay and $1,920 from Five Dock.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Canada Bay and Five Dock?
At 3% annual cost growth, Canada Bay costs a cumulative $96,136 and Five Dock costs $92,112 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,024 in favour of Five Dock. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Canada Bay and Five Dock 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: Canada Bay 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.