Edgecliff vs Woollahra, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Edgecliff and Woollahra are both Woollahra rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.8 km and 3.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $29 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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Woollahra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Edgecliff | Woollahra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,894 | $1,894 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $944 | $1,265 | -$321 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,500 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,236 | $6,207 | +$29 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,212 | $6,862 | +$350 |
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 | Edgecliff | Woollahra | 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, Edgecliff vs Woollahra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Edgecliff and Woollahra cost within $29 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $333, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Edgecliff carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $7,212 from Edgecliff versus $6,862 from Woollahra.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,894 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Edgecliff by $321 a year, $944 against $1,265.
- Building insurance favours Woollahra by $350 a year, $1,500 against $1,850.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Edgecliff against low in Woollahra, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Edgecliff cumulative | Woollahra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,236 | $6,207 | $29 |
| Year 3 | $19,275 | $19,185 | $90 |
| Year 5 | $33,108 | $32,954 | $154 |
| Year 10 | $71,489 | $71,156 | $333 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Edgecliff or Woollahra cheaper to live in?
Woollahra is cheaper to run by car at $6,207 per year versus $6,236 for Edgecliff, a difference of $29 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Edgecliff and Woollahra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,894 in Edgecliff (Woollahra rates (OLG) and $1,894 in Woollahra (Woollahra rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Edgecliff and $1,548 in Woollahra. 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 Edgecliff and Woollahra?
Annual driving commute costs are $944 from Edgecliff and $1,265 from Woollahra to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Edgecliff and $1,920 from Woollahra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Edgecliff and Woollahra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Edgecliff costs a cumulative $71,489 and Woollahra costs $71,156 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $333 in favour of Woollahra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Edgecliff and Woollahra suits you better?
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Sources: Woollahra rates (OLG and Woollahra 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.