Darlinghurst vs Woolloomooloo: 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 Woolloomooloo are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 1.5 km and 0.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Darlinghurst runs $454 a year cheaper than Woolloomooloo, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,205.
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 →Darlinghurst
Woolloomooloo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darlinghurst | Woolloomooloo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $497 | $301 | +$196 |
| 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 | $5,723 | -$454 |
| 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 | Woolloomooloo | 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 Woolloomooloo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Darlinghurst costs $454 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,205 in favour of Darlinghurst.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Woolloomooloo 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 Woolloomooloo.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darlinghurst cumulative | Woolloomooloo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,269 | $5,723 | $454 |
| Year 3 | $16,286 | $17,689 | $1,403 |
| Year 5 | $27,974 | $30,384 | $2,410 |
| Year 10 | $60,403 | $65,608 | $5,205 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darlinghurst or Woolloomooloo cheaper to live in?
Darlinghurst is cheaper to run by car at $5,269 per year versus $5,723 for Woolloomooloo, a difference of $454 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Darlinghurst (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Woolloomooloo (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Darlinghurst and $1,548 in Woolloomooloo. 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 Woolloomooloo?
Annual driving commute costs are $497 from Darlinghurst and $301 from Woolloomooloo to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Darlinghurst and $1,920 from Woolloomooloo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darlinghurst costs a cumulative $60,403 and Woolloomooloo costs $65,608 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,205 in favour of Darlinghurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo 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.