Barangaroo vs The Rocks, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $0 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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The Rocks
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barangaroo | The Rocks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $514 | $514 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,336 | $5,336 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $6,742 | $6,742 | - |
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 | Barangaroo | The Rocks | 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, Barangaroo vs The Rocks (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barangaroo and The Rocks cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,742 and $6,742 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $924 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $514 a year.
- 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. On these four costs they are identical.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barangaroo cumulative | The Rocks cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,336 | $5,336 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $16,493 | $16,493 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $28,330 | $28,330 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $61,171 | $61,171 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barangaroo or The Rocks cheaper to live in?
Barangaroo is cheaper to run by car at $5,336 per year versus $5,336 for The Rocks, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $514 from Barangaroo and $514 from The Rocks to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $61,171 and The Rocks costs $61,171 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Barangaroo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barangaroo and The Rocks suits you better?
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Sources: Sydney rates (OLG and Sydney 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.