Dulwich Hill vs Lewisham: 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 and Lewisham are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 7.5 km and 6.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $251 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 →Dulwich Hill
Lewisham
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dulwich Hill | Lewisham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,297 | $2,046 | +$251 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,546 | $7,295 | +$251 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,169 | $7,169 | - |
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 | Lewisham | 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 Lewisham (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dulwich Hill and Lewisham cost within $251 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,877, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $251 per year. Dulwich Hill is 7.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,169 and $7,169 a year, so the $251 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dulwich Hill cumulative | Lewisham cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,546 | $7,295 | $251 |
| Year 3 | $23,324 | $22,548 | $776 |
| Year 5 | $40,063 | $38,730 | $1,333 |
| Year 10 | $86,506 | $83,629 | $2,877 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dulwich Hill or Lewisham cheaper to live in?
Lewisham is cheaper to run by car at $7,295 per year versus $7,546 for Dulwich Hill, a difference of $251 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 Lewisham?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Dulwich Hill (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Lewisham (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dulwich Hill and $1,548 in Lewisham. 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 Lewisham?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,297 from Dulwich Hill and $2,046 from Lewisham to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Dulwich Hill and $1,920 from Lewisham.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dulwich Hill and Lewisham?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dulwich Hill costs a cumulative $86,506 and Lewisham costs $83,629 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,877 in favour of Lewisham. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dulwich Hill and Lewisham 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 Inner West 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.