Double Bay vs Mosman, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Double Bay (Woollahra rates (OLG) and Mosman (Mosman rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (3.3 km and 5.9 km).
The two sit within $27 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
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Mosman
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Double Bay | Mosman | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,894 | $1,766 | +$128 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,105 | $1,910 | -$805 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $1,700 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,897 | $6,924 | -$27 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,712 | $6,934 | +$778 |
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 | Double Bay | Mosman | 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, Double Bay vs Mosman (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Double Bay and Mosman cost within $27 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $310, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $805 per year. Mosman is 5.9 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $778 per year, $7,712 from Double Bay versus $6,934 from Mosman.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Mosman by $128 a year, $1,766 against $1,894.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Double Bay by $805 a year, $1,105 against $1,910.
- Building insurance favours Mosman by $650 a year, $1,700 against $2,350.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Double Bay against low in Mosman, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Mosman against low in Double Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Double Bay cumulative | Mosman cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,897 | $6,924 | $27 |
| Year 3 | $21,318 | $21,401 | $83 |
| Year 5 | $36,617 | $36,760 | $143 |
| Year 10 | $79,066 | $79,376 | $310 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Double Bay or Mosman cheaper to live in?
Double Bay is cheaper to run by car at $6,897 per year versus $6,924 for Mosman, a difference of $27 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Double Bay and Mosman?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,894 in Double Bay (Woollahra rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Mosman (Mosman rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Double Bay and $1,548 in Mosman. 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 Double Bay and Mosman?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,105 from Double Bay and $1,910 from Mosman to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Double Bay and $1,920 from Mosman.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Double Bay and Mosman?
At 3% annual cost growth, Double Bay costs a cumulative $79,066 and Mosman costs $79,376 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $310 in favour of Double Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Double Bay and Mosman suits you better?
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Sources: Woollahra rates (OLG and Mosman 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.