Darlington vs Redfern: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Darlington and Redfern are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.8 km and 2.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Redfern runs $481 a year cheaper than Darlington, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,514.
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 →Darlington
Redfern
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Darlington | Redfern | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $913 | $882 | +$31 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,685 | $5,204 | +$481 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,692 | $6,242 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Darlington | Redfern | 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 — Darlington vs Redfern (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redfern costs $481 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,514 in favour of Redfern.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Darlington carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $6,692 from Darlington versus $6,242 from Redfern.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Darlington cumulative | Redfern cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,685 | $5,204 | $481 |
| Year 3 | $17,572 | $16,085 | $1,487 |
| Year 5 | $30,182 | $27,629 | $2,553 |
| Year 10 | $65,172 | $59,658 | $5,514 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darlington or Redfern cheaper to live in?
Redfern is cheaper to run by car at $5,204 per year versus $5,685 for Darlington, a difference of $481 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Darlington and Redfern?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Darlington (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Redfern (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Darlington and $1,548 in Redfern. 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 Darlington and Redfern?
Annual driving commute costs are $913 from Darlington and $882 from Redfern to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Darlington and $1,920 from Redfern.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Darlington and Redfern?
At 3% annual cost growth, Darlington costs a cumulative $65,172 and Redfern costs $59,658 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,514 in favour of Redfern. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Darlington and Redfern 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.