Putney vs Tennyson Point, 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 and Tennyson Point are both Ryde rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 10.4 km and 9.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $263 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, Tennyson Point costs about $3,000 less to run than Putney. That's about $6 a week.
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Tennyson Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Putney | Tennyson Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,278 | $1,278 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,162 | $2,899 | +$263 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $1,920 | +$466 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,338 | $8,075 | +$263 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,562 | $7,096 | +$466 |
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 | Putney | Tennyson Point | 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 Tennyson Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Putney and Tennyson Point cost within $263 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,015, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $263 per year. Putney is 10.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $466 per year, $7,562 from Putney versus $7,096 from Tennyson Point.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,278 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Tennyson Point by $263 a year, $2,899 against $3,162.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,350 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Putney cumulative | Tennyson Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,338 | $8,075 | $263 |
| Year 3 | $25,772 | $24,959 | $813 |
| Year 5 | $44,268 | $42,871 | $1,397 |
| Year 10 | $95,586 | $92,571 | $3,015 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Putney or Tennyson Point cheaper to live in?
Tennyson Point is cheaper to run by car at $8,075 per year versus $8,338 for Putney, a difference of $263 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Putney and Tennyson Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,278 in Putney (Ryde rates (OLG) and $1,278 in Tennyson Point (Ryde rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Putney and $1,548 in Tennyson Point. 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 Tennyson Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,162 from Putney and $2,899 from Tennyson Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Putney and $1,920 from Tennyson Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Putney and Tennyson Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Putney costs a cumulative $95,586 and Tennyson Point costs $92,571 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,015 in favour of Tennyson Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Putney and Tennyson Point suits you better?
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Sources: Ryde 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.