Mortlake vs Putney: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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).
The two sit within $86 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 →Mortlake
Putney
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mortlake | Putney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,268 | $1,278 | -$10 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,982 | $3,058 | -$76 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,748 | $8,834 | -$86 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,152 | $8,162 | -$10 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mortlake | Putney | 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 — Mortlake vs Putney (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mortlake and Putney cost within $86 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $986, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $76 per year. Putney is 10.4 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 $8,162 a year, so the $86 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mortlake cumulative | Putney cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,748 | $8,834 | $86 |
| Year 3 | $27,039 | $27,305 | $266 |
| Year 5 | $46,444 | $46,901 | $457 |
| Year 10 | $100,286 | $101,272 | $986 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mortlake or Putney cheaper to live in?
Mortlake is cheaper to run by car at $8,748 per year versus $8,834 for Putney, a difference of $86 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. 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 $2,982 from Mortlake and $3,058 from Putney to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $100,286 and Putney costs $101,272 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $986 in favour of Mortlake. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mortlake and Putney 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 Ryde 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.