Chippendale vs Darlington, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chippendale and Darlington are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.1 km and 2.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $229 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, Chippendale costs about $2,600 less to run than Darlington. That's about $5 a week.
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Darlington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chippendale | Darlington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $715 | $944 | -$229 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,037 | $5,266 | -$229 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,242 | $6,242 | - |
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 | Chippendale | Darlington | 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, Chippendale vs Darlington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chippendale and Darlington cost within $229 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,625, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $229 per year. Darlington is 2.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,242 and $6,242 a year, so the $229 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 favours Chippendale by $229 a year, $715 against $944.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
The catchment state school scores 6.8 in Darlington against 5.6 in Chippendale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chippendale cumulative | Darlington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,037 | $5,266 | $229 |
| Year 3 | $15,569 | $16,277 | $708 |
| Year 5 | $26,742 | $27,958 | $1,216 |
| Year 10 | $57,744 | $60,369 | $2,625 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chippendale or Darlington cheaper to live in?
Chippendale is cheaper to run by car at $5,037 per year versus $5,266 for Darlington, a difference of $229 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chippendale and Darlington?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Chippendale (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Darlington (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chippendale and $1,548 in Darlington. 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 Chippendale and Darlington?
Annual driving commute costs are $715 from Chippendale and $944 from Darlington to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Chippendale and $1,920 from Darlington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chippendale and Darlington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chippendale costs a cumulative $57,744 and Darlington costs $60,369 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,625 in favour of Chippendale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chippendale and Darlington 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.