Dulwich Hill vs Hurlstone Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dulwich Hill (Inner West rates (OLG) and Hurlstone Park (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (7.5 km and 8.9 km).
Dulwich Hill runs $1,002 a year cheaper than Hurlstone Park, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,487.
Over 10 years, Dulwich Hill costs about $11,500 less to run than Hurlstone Park — the same as paying $11,500 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Dulwich Hill
Hurlstone Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dulwich Hill | Hurlstone Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,377 | +$24 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,297 | $2,673 | -$376 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,546 | $8,548 | -$1,002 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,169 | $7,795 | -$626 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Dulwich Hill | Hurlstone Park | 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 — Dulwich Hill vs Hurlstone Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dulwich Hill costs $1,002 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,487 in favour of Dulwich Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Hurlstone Park carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $626 per year, $7,169 from Dulwich Hill versus $7,795 from Hurlstone Park.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dulwich Hill cumulative | Hurlstone Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,546 | $8,548 | $1,002 |
| Year 3 | $23,324 | $26,421 | $3,097 |
| Year 5 | $40,063 | $45,382 | $5,319 |
| Year 10 | $86,506 | $97,993 | $11,487 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dulwich Hill or Hurlstone Park cheaper to live in?
Dulwich Hill is cheaper to run by car at $7,546 per year versus $8,548 for Hurlstone Park, a difference of $1,002 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dulwich Hill and Hurlstone Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Dulwich Hill (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,377 in Hurlstone Park (Canterbury-Bankstown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dulwich Hill and $1,548 in Hurlstone Park. 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 Dulwich Hill and Hurlstone Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,297 from Dulwich Hill and $2,673 from Hurlstone Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Dulwich Hill and $1,920 from Hurlstone Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dulwich Hill and Hurlstone Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dulwich Hill costs a cumulative $86,506 and Hurlstone Park costs $97,993 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,487 in favour of Dulwich Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dulwich Hill and Hurlstone Park 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: Inner West rates (OLG and Canterbury-Bankstown 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.