Concord West vs Liberty Grove: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Concord West and Liberty Grove are both Canada Bay rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 11.1 km and 12 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $225 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 →Concord West
Liberty Grove
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Concord West | Liberty Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,268 | $1,268 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,340 | $3,565 | -$225 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,300 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $9,106 | $9,331 | -$225 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,152 | $8,152 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Concord West | Liberty Grove | 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 — Concord West vs Liberty Grove (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Concord West and Liberty Grove cost within $225 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,579, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $225 per year. Liberty Grove is 12 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, $8,152 and $8,152 a year, so the $225 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 Concord West by $225 a year, $3,340 against $3,565.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 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 | Concord West cumulative | Liberty Grove cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,106 | $9,331 | $225 |
| Year 3 | $28,146 | $28,841 | $695 |
| Year 5 | $48,345 | $49,540 | $1,195 |
| Year 10 | $104,390 | $106,969 | $2,579 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Concord West or Liberty Grove cheaper to live in?
Concord West is cheaper to run by car at $9,106 per year versus $9,331 for Liberty Grove, a difference of $225 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Concord West and Liberty Grove?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Concord West (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Liberty Grove (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Concord West and $1,548 in Liberty Grove. 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 Concord West and Liberty Grove?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,340 from Concord West and $3,565 from Liberty Grove to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Concord West and $2,386 from Liberty Grove.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Concord West and Liberty Grove?
At 3% annual cost growth, Concord West costs a cumulative $104,390 and Liberty Grove costs $106,969 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,579 in favour of Concord West. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Concord West and Liberty Grove 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.