Putney 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
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 $355 a year cheaper than Rhodes, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,070.
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) | $3,058 | $3,423 | -$365 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,834 | $9,189 | -$355 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,162 | $8,152 | +$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 | Putney | 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 — Putney vs Rhodes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Putney costs $355 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,070 in favour of Putney.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $365 per year. Rhodes is 11.9 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, $8,162 and $8,152 a year, so the $355 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Putney cumulative | Rhodes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,834 | $9,189 | $355 |
| Year 3 | $27,305 | $28,402 | $1,097 |
| Year 5 | $46,901 | $48,786 | $1,885 |
| Year 10 | $101,272 | $105,342 | $4,070 |
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 $8,834 per year versus $9,189 for Rhodes, a difference of $355 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $3,058 from Putney and $3,423 from Rhodes to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $101,272 and Rhodes costs $105,342 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,070 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.