Annandale vs Leichhardt: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Annandale and Leichhardt are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.9 km and 5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Leichhardt runs $320 a year cheaper than Annandale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,668.
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 →Annandale
Leichhardt
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Annandale | Leichhardt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,254 | $1,584 | -$330 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,300 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $7,153 | $6,833 | +$320 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,819 | $7,169 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Annandale | Leichhardt | 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 — Annandale vs Leichhardt (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Leichhardt costs $320 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,668 in favour of Leichhardt.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Annandale carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,819 from Annandale versus $7,169 from Leichhardt.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Annandale cumulative | Leichhardt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,153 | $6,833 | $320 |
| Year 3 | $22,109 | $21,120 | $989 |
| Year 5 | $37,976 | $36,277 | $1,699 |
| Year 10 | $82,001 | $78,333 | $3,668 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Annandale or Leichhardt cheaper to live in?
Leichhardt is cheaper to run by car at $6,833 per year versus $7,153 for Annandale, a difference of $320 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Annandale and Leichhardt?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Annandale (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Leichhardt (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Annandale and $1,548 in Leichhardt. 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 Annandale and Leichhardt?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,254 from Annandale and $1,584 from Leichhardt to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Annandale and $1,920 from Leichhardt.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Annandale and Leichhardt?
At 3% annual cost growth, Annandale costs a cumulative $82,001 and Leichhardt costs $78,333 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,668 in favour of Leichhardt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Annandale and Leichhardt 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: Inner West rates (OLG and Inner West 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.