Concord West vs Mortlake, 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 Mortlake are both Canada Bay rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 11.1 km and 10.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $256 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, Mortlake costs about $2,900 less to run than Concord West. That's about $6 a week.
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Mortlake
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Concord West | Mortlake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,268 | $1,268 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,340 | $3,084 | +$256 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,006 | $7,750 | +$256 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,052 | $7,052 | - |
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 | Concord West | Mortlake | 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 Mortlake (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Concord West and Mortlake cost within $256 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,935, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $256 per year. Concord West is 11.1 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, $7,052 and $7,052 a year, so the $256 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 Mortlake by $256 a year, $3,084 against $3,340.
- 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 | Concord West cumulative | Mortlake cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,006 | $7,750 | $256 |
| Year 3 | $24,746 | $23,954 | $792 |
| Year 5 | $42,505 | $41,146 | $1,359 |
| Year 10 | $91,780 | $88,845 | $2,935 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Concord West or Mortlake cheaper to live in?
Mortlake is cheaper to run by car at $7,750 per year versus $8,006 for Concord West, a difference of $256 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 Mortlake?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Concord West (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Mortlake (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Concord West and $1,548 in Mortlake. 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 Mortlake?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,340 from Concord West and $3,084 from Mortlake to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Concord West and $2,386 from Mortlake.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Concord West and Mortlake?
At 3% annual cost growth, Concord West costs a cumulative $91,780 and Mortlake costs $88,845 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,935 in favour of Mortlake. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Concord West and Mortlake 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.