Double Bay vs Mosman: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $150 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. 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 →Double Bay
Mosman
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Double Bay | Mosman | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,894 | $1,766 | +$128 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,069 | $1,847 | -$778 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,150 | +$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $2,600 | +$900 |
| Total (driving) | $7,461 | $7,311 | +$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,312 | $7,384 | +$928 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Double Bay | Mosman | 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 — Double Bay vs Mosman (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Double Bay and Mosman cost within $150 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,720, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year. Double Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $928 per year, $8,312 from Double Bay versus $7,384 from Mosman.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Double Bay cumulative | Mosman cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,461 | $7,311 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $23,061 | $22,598 | $463 |
| Year 5 | $39,611 | $38,815 | $796 |
| Year 10 | $85,532 | $83,812 | $1,720 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Double Bay or Mosman cheaper to live in?
Mosman is cheaper to run by car at $7,311 per year versus $7,461 for Double Bay, a difference of $150 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/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 $1,069 from Double Bay and $1,847 from Mosman to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $85,532 and Mosman costs $83,812 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,720 in favour of Mosman. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Double Bay and Mosman 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: Woollahra rates (OLG and Mosman 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.