Darlinghurst 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
Darlinghurst and Rushcutters Bay are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 1.5 km and 1.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Darlinghurst runs $780 a year cheaper than Rushcutters Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,942.
Over 10 years, Darlinghurst costs about $8,900 less to run than Rushcutters Bay — the same as paying $8,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rushcutters Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darlinghurst | Rushcutters Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $497 | $627 | -$130 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,269 | $6,049 | -$780 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,692 | $7,342 | -$650 |
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 | 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 — Darlinghurst vs Rushcutters Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darlinghurst costs $780 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,942 in favour of Darlinghurst.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Rushcutters Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $6,692 from Darlinghurst versus $7,342 from Rushcutters Bay.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darlinghurst cumulative | Rushcutters Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,269 | $6,049 | $780 |
| Year 3 | $16,286 | $18,697 | $2,411 |
| Year 5 | $27,974 | $32,115 | $4,141 |
| Year 10 | $60,403 | $69,345 | $8,942 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darlinghurst or Rushcutters Bay cheaper to live in?
Darlinghurst is cheaper to run by car at $5,269 per year versus $6,049 for Rushcutters Bay, a difference of $780 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darlinghurst and Rushcutters Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Darlinghurst (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Rushcutters Bay (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Darlinghurst 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 Darlinghurst and Rushcutters Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $497 from Darlinghurst and $627 from Rushcutters Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Darlinghurst and $1,920 from Rushcutters Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darlinghurst and Rushcutters Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darlinghurst costs a cumulative $60,403 and Rushcutters Bay costs $69,345 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,942 in favour of Darlinghurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darlinghurst 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: Sydney 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.