Mortlake vs Putney, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mortlake (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and Putney (Ryde rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (10.1 km and 10.4 km).
Mortlake runs $588 a year cheaper than Putney, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,741.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $6,700, about $13 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Putney
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mortlake | Putney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,268 | $1,278 | -$10 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,084 | $3,162 | -$78 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $2,350 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,750 | $8,338 | -$588 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,052 | $7,562 | -$510 |
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 | Mortlake | Putney | 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, Mortlake vs Putney (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mortlake and Putney differ by $588 a year by car, but $500 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $88, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year. Putney carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $510 per year, $7,052 from Mortlake versus $7,562 from Putney.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Mortlake by $10 a year, $1,268 against $1,278.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mortlake by $78 a year, $3,084 against $3,162.
- Building insurance favours Mortlake by $500 a year, $1,850 against $2,350.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mortlake cumulative | Putney cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,750 | $8,338 | $588 |
| Year 3 | $23,954 | $25,772 | $1,818 |
| Year 5 | $41,146 | $44,268 | $3,122 |
| Year 10 | $88,845 | $95,586 | $6,741 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mortlake or Putney cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Mortlake runs $7,750 a year by car and Putney $8,338, but most of the $588 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $88. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mortlake and Putney?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,268 in Mortlake (Canada Bay rates (OLG) and $1,278 in Putney (Ryde rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mortlake and $1,548 in Putney. 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 Mortlake and Putney?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,084 from Mortlake and $3,162 from Putney to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Mortlake and $2,386 from Putney.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mortlake and Putney?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mortlake costs a cumulative $88,845 and Putney costs $95,586 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,741 in favour of Mortlake. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mortlake and Putney suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Canada Bay rates (OLG and Ryde 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.