Darling Point vs Double Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darling Point and Double Bay are both Woollahra rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.6 km and 3.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $226 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 →Darling Point
Double Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darling Point | Double Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,894 | $1,894 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $879 | $1,105 | -$226 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,271 | $7,497 | -$226 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,312 | $8,312 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Darling Point | Double Bay | 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 — Darling Point vs Double Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darling Point and Double Bay cost within $226 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,591, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $226 per year. Double Bay 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, $8,312 and $8,312 a year, so the $226 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,894 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Darling Point by $226 a year, $879 against $1,105.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darling Point cumulative | Double Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,271 | $7,497 | $226 |
| Year 3 | $22,474 | $23,172 | $698 |
| Year 5 | $38,603 | $39,803 | $1,200 |
| Year 10 | $83,354 | $85,945 | $2,591 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darling Point or Double Bay cheaper to live in?
Darling Point is cheaper to run by car at $7,271 per year versus $7,497 for Double Bay, a difference of $226 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darling Point and Double Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,894 in Darling Point (Woollahra rates (OLG) and $1,894 in Double Bay (Woollahra rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Darling Point and $1,548 in Double Bay. 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 Darling Point and Double Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $879 from Darling Point and $1,105 from Double Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Darling Point and $1,920 from Double Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darling Point and Double Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darling Point costs a cumulative $83,354 and Double Bay costs $85,945 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,591 in favour of Darling Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darling Point and Double Bay 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: Woollahra rates (OLG and Woollahra 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.