Darling Point vs Rushcutters Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darling Point (Woollahra rates (OLG) and Rushcutters Bay (Sydney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (2.6 km and 1.9 km).
Rushcutters Bay runs $1,193 a year cheaper than Darling Point, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,676.
Over 10 years, Rushcutters Bay costs about $13,700 less to run than Darling Point — the same as paying $13,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rushcutters Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darling Point | Rushcutters Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,894 | $924 | +$970 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $850 | $627 | +$223 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,242 | $6,049 | +$1,193 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,312 | $7,342 | +$970 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Darling Point | Rushcutters Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Rushcutters Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rushcutters Bay costs $1,193 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,676 in favour of Rushcutters Bay.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $970 per year.
On public transport the gap is $970 per year, $8,312 from Darling Point versus $7,342 from Rushcutters Bay.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darling Point cumulative | Rushcutters Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,242 | $6,049 | $1,193 |
| Year 3 | $22,384 | $18,697 | $3,687 |
| Year 5 | $38,449 | $32,115 | $6,334 |
| Year 10 | $83,021 | $69,345 | $13,676 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darling Point or Rushcutters Bay cheaper to live in?
Rushcutters Bay is cheaper to run by car at $6,049 per year versus $7,242 for Darling Point, a difference of $1,193 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darling Point and Rushcutters Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,894 in Darling Point (Woollahra rates (OLG) and $924 in Rushcutters Bay (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Darling Point and $1,548 in Rushcutters 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 Rushcutters Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $850 from Darling Point and $627 from Rushcutters Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Darling Point and $1,920 from Rushcutters Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darling Point and Rushcutters Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darling Point costs a cumulative $83,021 and Rushcutters Bay costs $69,345 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,676 in favour of Rushcutters Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darling Point and Rushcutters 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 Sydney rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.