Dulwich Hill vs Summer Hill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Dulwich Hill and Summer Hill are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 7.5 km and 7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $143 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, Summer Hill costs about $1,600 less to run than Dulwich Hill. That's about $3 a week.
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Summer Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Dulwich Hill | Summer Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,375 | $2,232 | +$143 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,174 | $7,031 | +$143 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,719 | $6,719 | - |
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 | Dulwich Hill | Summer Hill | 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, Dulwich Hill vs Summer Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Dulwich Hill and Summer Hill cost within $143 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,639, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $143 per year. Dulwich Hill is 7.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,719 and $6,719 a year, so the $143 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,401 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Summer Hill by $143 a year, $2,232 against $2,375.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
The catchment state school scores 10 in Summer Hill against 8.5 in Dulwich Hill, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Dulwich Hill cumulative | Summer Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,174 | $7,031 | $143 |
| Year 3 | $22,174 | $21,732 | $442 |
| Year 5 | $38,088 | $37,329 | $759 |
| Year 10 | $82,242 | $80,603 | $1,639 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dulwich Hill or Summer Hill cheaper to live in?
Summer Hill is cheaper to run by car at $7,031 per year versus $7,174 for Dulwich Hill, a difference of $143 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Dulwich Hill and Summer Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Dulwich Hill (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Summer Hill (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Dulwich Hill and $1,548 in Summer Hill. 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 Summer Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,375 from Dulwich Hill and $2,232 from Summer Hill to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Dulwich Hill and $1,920 from Summer Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Dulwich Hill and Summer Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Dulwich Hill costs a cumulative $82,242 and Summer Hill costs $80,603 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,639 in favour of Summer Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Dulwich Hill and Summer Hill suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.