Chippendale vs Eveleigh: 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 Eveleigh are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.1 km and 3.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Chippendale runs $390 a year cheaper than Eveleigh, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,471.
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 →Chippendale
Eveleigh
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chippendale | Eveleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $715 | $1,105 | -$390 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,487 | $5,877 | -$390 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,692 | $6,692 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chippendale | Eveleigh | 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 Eveleigh (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chippendale costs $390 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,471 in favour of Chippendale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $390 per year. Eveleigh is 3.3 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, $6,692 and $6,692 a year, so the $390 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 $390 a year, $715 against $1,105.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,300 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 Eveleigh against 5.6 in Chippendale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chippendale cumulative | Eveleigh cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,487 | $5,877 | $390 |
| Year 3 | $16,960 | $18,165 | $1,205 |
| Year 5 | $29,131 | $31,202 | $2,071 |
| Year 10 | $62,902 | $67,373 | $4,471 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chippendale or Eveleigh cheaper to live in?
Chippendale is cheaper to run by car at $5,487 per year versus $5,877 for Eveleigh, a difference of $390 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chippendale and Eveleigh?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Chippendale (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Eveleigh (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chippendale and $1,548 in Eveleigh. 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 Eveleigh?
Annual driving commute costs are $715 from Chippendale and $1,105 from Eveleigh to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Chippendale and $1,920 from Eveleigh.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chippendale and Eveleigh?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chippendale costs a cumulative $62,902 and Eveleigh costs $67,373 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,471 in favour of Chippendale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chippendale and Eveleigh 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.