Canada Bay vs Five Dock, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $363 a year cheaper than Canada Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,161.
Over 10 years, Five Dock costs about $4,200 less to run than Canada Bay. That's about $8 a week.
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Five Dock
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Canada Bay | Five Dock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,268 | $1,268 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,709 | $2,346 | +$363 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,375 | $7,012 | +$363 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,586 | $6,586 | - |
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 | Canada Bay | Five Dock | 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, Canada Bay vs Five Dock (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Five Dock costs $363 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,161 in favour of Five Dock.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $363 per year. Canada Bay is 8.7 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, $6,586 and $6,586 a year, so the $363 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,268 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Five Dock by $363 a year, $2,346 against $2,709.
- 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 | Canada Bay cumulative | Five Dock cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,375 | $7,012 | $363 |
| Year 3 | $22,795 | $21,673 | $1,122 |
| Year 5 | $39,155 | $37,228 | $1,927 |
| Year 10 | $84,546 | $80,385 | $4,161 |
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 $7,012 per year versus $7,375 for Canada Bay, a difference of $363 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $2,709 from Canada Bay and $2,346 from Five Dock to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $84,546 and Five Dock costs $80,385 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,161 in favour of Five Dock. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Canada Bay and Five Dock suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.