Chippendale vs Redfern: 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 Redfern are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.1 km and 2.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $253 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 →Chippendale
Redfern
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chippendale | Redfern | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $715 | $912 | -$197 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,487 | $5,234 | +$253 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,692 | $6,242 | +$450 |
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 | Redfern | 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 Redfern (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chippendale and Redfern cost within $253 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,900, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Chippendale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $6,692 from Chippendale versus $6,242 from Redfern.
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 $197 a year, $715 against $912.
- Building insurance favours Redfern by $450 a year, $1,850 against $2,300.
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 medium in Chippendale against low in Redfern, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 9.4 in Redfern against 5.6 in Chippendale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chippendale cumulative | Redfern cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,487 | $5,234 | $253 |
| Year 3 | $16,960 | $16,178 | $782 |
| Year 5 | $29,131 | $27,788 | $1,343 |
| Year 10 | $62,902 | $60,002 | $2,900 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chippendale or Redfern cheaper to live in?
Redfern is cheaper to run by car at $5,234 per year versus $5,487 for Chippendale, a difference of $253 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chippendale and Redfern?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Chippendale (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Redfern (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Chippendale and $1,548 in Redfern. 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 Redfern?
Annual driving commute costs are $715 from Chippendale and $912 from Redfern to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Chippendale and $1,920 from Redfern.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chippendale and Redfern?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chippendale costs a cumulative $62,902 and Redfern costs $60,002 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,900 in favour of Redfern. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chippendale and Redfern 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.