Barangaroo vs The Rocks: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barangaroo and The Rocks are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 1.3 km and 1.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $33 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. 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 →Barangaroo
The Rocks
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barangaroo | The Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $432 | $399 | +$33 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,854 | $5,821 | +$33 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,342 | $7,342 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Barangaroo | The Rocks | 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 — Barangaroo vs The Rocks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barangaroo and The Rocks cost within $33 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $379, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $33 per year. Barangaroo is 1.3 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, $7,342 and $7,342 a year, so the $33 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barangaroo cumulative | The Rocks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,854 | $5,821 | $33 |
| Year 3 | $18,094 | $17,992 | $102 |
| Year 5 | $31,080 | $30,904 | $176 |
| Year 10 | $67,110 | $66,731 | $379 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barangaroo or The Rocks cheaper to live in?
The Rocks is cheaper to run by car at $5,821 per year versus $5,854 for Barangaroo, a difference of $33 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barangaroo and The Rocks?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Barangaroo (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in The Rocks (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Barangaroo and $1,548 in The Rocks. 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 Barangaroo and The Rocks?
Annual driving commute costs are $432 from Barangaroo and $399 from The Rocks to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Barangaroo and $1,920 from The Rocks.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barangaroo and The Rocks?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barangaroo costs a cumulative $67,110 and The Rocks costs $66,731 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $379 in favour of The Rocks. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barangaroo and The Rocks 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: Sydney rates (OLG and Sydney 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.