Haberfield vs Leichhardt: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Haberfield and Leichhardt are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 6.3 km and 5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Leichhardt runs $1,040 a year cheaper than Haberfield, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,922.
Over 10 years, Leichhardt costs about $11,900 less to run than Haberfield — the same as paying $11,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Leichhardt
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Haberfield | Leichhardt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,028 | $1,638 | +$390 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,300 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,927 | $6,887 | +$1,040 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,819 | $7,169 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Haberfield | Leichhardt | 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 — Haberfield vs Leichhardt (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Leichhardt costs $1,040 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,922 in favour of Leichhardt.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Haberfield carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,819 from Haberfield versus $7,169 from Leichhardt.
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 Leichhardt by $390 a year, $1,638 against $2,028.
- Building insurance favours Leichhardt by $650 a year, $2,300 against $2,950.
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 high in Haberfield against medium in Leichhardt, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Haberfield cumulative | Leichhardt cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,927 | $6,887 | $1,040 |
| Year 3 | $24,502 | $21,287 | $3,215 |
| Year 5 | $42,086 | $36,564 | $5,522 |
| Year 10 | $90,874 | $78,952 | $11,922 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Haberfield or Leichhardt cheaper to live in?
Leichhardt is cheaper to run by car at $6,887 per year versus $7,927 for Haberfield, a difference of $1,040 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Haberfield and Leichhardt?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Haberfield (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Leichhardt (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Haberfield and $1,548 in Leichhardt. 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 Haberfield and Leichhardt?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,028 from Haberfield and $1,638 from Leichhardt to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Haberfield and $1,920 from Leichhardt.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Haberfield and Leichhardt?
At 3% annual cost growth, Haberfield costs a cumulative $90,874 and Leichhardt costs $78,952 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,922 in favour of Leichhardt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Haberfield and Leichhardt 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.