Darlinghurst vs Paddington, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darlinghurst (Sydney rates (OLG) and Paddington (Woollahra rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (1.5 km and 2.4 km).
Darlinghurst runs $1,270 a year cheaper than Paddington, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,559.
Over 10 years, Darlinghurst costs about $14,600 less to run than Paddington. That's about $28 a week.
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Paddington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darlinghurst | Paddington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $924 | $1,894 | -$970 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $514 | $814 | -$300 |
| 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) | $4,836 | $6,106 | -$1,270 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,242 | $7,212 | -$970 |
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 | Darlinghurst | Paddington | 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, Darlinghurst vs Paddington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darlinghurst costs $1,270 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,559 in favour of Darlinghurst.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $970 per year.
On public transport the gap is $970 per year, $6,242 from Darlinghurst versus $7,212 from Paddington.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Darlinghurst by $970 a year, $924 against $1,894.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Darlinghurst by $300 a year, $514 against $814.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darlinghurst cumulative | Paddington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $4,836 | $6,106 | $1,270 |
| Year 3 | $14,948 | $18,873 | $3,925 |
| Year 5 | $25,675 | $32,418 | $6,743 |
| Year 10 | $55,439 | $69,998 | $14,559 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darlinghurst or Paddington cheaper to live in?
Darlinghurst is cheaper to run by car at $4,836 per year versus $6,106 for Paddington, a difference of $1,270 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darlinghurst and Paddington?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Darlinghurst (Sydney rates (OLG) and $1,894 in Paddington (Woollahra rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Darlinghurst and $1,548 in Paddington. 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 Darlinghurst and Paddington?
Annual driving commute costs are $514 from Darlinghurst and $814 from Paddington to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Darlinghurst and $1,920 from Paddington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darlinghurst and Paddington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darlinghurst costs a cumulative $55,439 and Paddington costs $69,998 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,559 in favour of Darlinghurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darlinghurst and Paddington suits you better?
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Sources: Sydney 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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.