Liberty Grove vs Rhodes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Liberty Grove and Rhodes are both Canada Bay rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 12 km and 11.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $24 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 →Liberty Grove
Rhodes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Liberty Grove | Rhodes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,268 | $1,268 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,447 | $3,423 | +$24 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $9,213 | $9,189 | +$24 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,152 | $8,152 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Liberty Grove | Rhodes | 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 — Liberty Grove vs Rhodes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Liberty Grove and Rhodes cost within $24 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $275, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $24 per year. Liberty Grove is 12 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, $8,152 and $8,152 a year, so the $24 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Liberty Grove cumulative | Rhodes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,213 | $9,189 | $24 |
| Year 3 | $28,476 | $28,402 | $74 |
| Year 5 | $48,913 | $48,786 | $127 |
| Year 10 | $105,617 | $105,342 | $275 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Liberty Grove or Rhodes cheaper to live in?
Rhodes is cheaper to run by car at $9,189 per year versus $9,213 for Liberty Grove, a difference of $24 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Liberty Grove and Rhodes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Liberty Grove (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Rhodes (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Liberty Grove and $1,548 in Rhodes. 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 Liberty Grove and Rhodes?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,447 from Liberty Grove and $3,423 from Rhodes to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Liberty Grove and $2,386 from Rhodes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Liberty Grove and Rhodes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Liberty Grove costs a cumulative $105,617 and Rhodes costs $105,342 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $275 in favour of Rhodes. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Liberty Grove and Rhodes 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.