Darlinghurst vs Paddington: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $1,260 a year cheaper than Paddington, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,445.
Over 10 years, Darlinghurst costs about $14,400 less to run than Paddington — the same as paying $14,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Paddington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darlinghurst | Paddington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $1,894 | -$970 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $497 | $787 | -$290 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,269 | $6,529 | -$1,260 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,692 | $7,662 | -$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 | Darlinghurst | Paddington | 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 — Darlinghurst vs Paddington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darlinghurst costs $1,260 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,445 in favour of Darlinghurst.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $970 per year.
On public transport the gap is $970 per year, $6,692 from Darlinghurst versus $7,662 from Paddington.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darlinghurst cumulative | Paddington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,269 | $6,529 | $1,260 |
| Year 3 | $16,286 | $20,180 | $3,894 |
| Year 5 | $27,974 | $34,663 | $6,689 |
| Year 10 | $60,403 | $74,848 | $14,445 |
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 $5,269 per year versus $6,529 for Paddington, a difference of $1,260 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $497 from Darlinghurst and $787 from Paddington to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $60,403 and Paddington costs $74,848 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,445 in favour of Darlinghurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darlinghurst and Paddington 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 Woollahra 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.