Annandale vs Leichhardt, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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.
The two sit within $59 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.
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Leichhardt
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Annandale | Leichhardt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,297 | $1,638 | -$341 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,450 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,096 | $6,037 | +$59 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,719 | $6,319 | +$400 |
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 | Annandale | Leichhardt | 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, Annandale vs Leichhardt (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Annandale and Leichhardt cost within $59 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $677, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Annandale carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,719 from Annandale versus $6,319 from Leichhardt.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,401 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Annandale by $341 a year, $1,297 against $1,638.
- Building insurance favours Leichhardt by $400 a year, $1,450 against $1,850.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Annandale against medium in Leichhardt, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Annandale cumulative | Leichhardt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,096 | $6,037 | $59 |
| Year 3 | $18,842 | $18,660 | $182 |
| Year 5 | $32,364 | $32,051 | $313 |
| Year 10 | $69,884 | $69,207 | $677 |
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 $6,037 per year versus $6,096 for Annandale, a difference of $59 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $1,297 from Annandale and $1,638 from Leichhardt to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $69,884 and Leichhardt costs $69,207 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $677 in favour of Leichhardt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Annandale and Leichhardt suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.