Putney vs Rhodes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Putney (Ryde rates (OLG) and Rhodes (Canada Bay rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (10.4 km and 11.9 km).
Putney runs $368 a year cheaper than Rhodes, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,219.
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 →Putney
Rhodes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Putney | Rhodes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,278 | $1,268 | +$10 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,162 | $3,540 | -$378 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,938 | $9,306 | -$368 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,162 | $8,152 | +$10 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Putney | Rhodes | 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 — Putney vs Rhodes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Putney costs $368 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,219 in favour of Putney.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $378 per year. Rhodes is 11.9 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, $8,162 and $8,152 a year, so the $368 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Rhodes by $10 a year, $1,268 against $1,278.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Putney by $378 a year, $3,162 against $3,540.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 8.9 in Putney against 7.1 in Rhodes, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Putney cumulative | Rhodes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,938 | $9,306 | $368 |
| Year 3 | $27,626 | $28,764 | $1,138 |
| Year 5 | $47,453 | $49,407 | $1,954 |
| Year 10 | $102,464 | $106,683 | $4,219 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Putney or Rhodes cheaper to live in?
Putney is cheaper to run by car at $8,938 per year versus $9,306 for Rhodes, a difference of $368 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Putney and Rhodes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,278 in Putney (Ryde rates (OLG) and $1,268 in Rhodes (Canada Bay rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Putney 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 Putney and Rhodes?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,162 from Putney and $3,540 from Rhodes to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Putney and $2,386 from Rhodes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Putney and Rhodes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Putney costs a cumulative $102,464 and Rhodes costs $106,683 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,219 in favour of Putney. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Putney 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: Ryde 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.