Haymarket vs Surry Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Haymarket and Surry Hills are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 1.4 km and 1.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $288 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 →Haymarket
Surry Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Haymarket | Surry Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $465 | $627 | -$162 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,237 | $4,949 | +$288 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,692 | $6,242 | +$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Haymarket | Surry Hills | 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 — Haymarket vs Surry Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Haymarket and Surry Hills cost within $288 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,301, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Haymarket carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $6,692 from Haymarket versus $6,242 from Surry Hills.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Haymarket cumulative | Surry Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,237 | $4,949 | $288 |
| Year 3 | $16,187 | $15,297 | $890 |
| Year 5 | $27,804 | $26,275 | $1,529 |
| Year 10 | $60,036 | $56,735 | $3,301 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Haymarket or Surry Hills cheaper to live in?
Surry Hills is cheaper to run by car at $4,949 per year versus $5,237 for Haymarket, a difference of $288 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Haymarket and Surry Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Haymarket (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Surry Hills (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Haymarket and $1,548 in Surry Hills. 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 Haymarket and Surry Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $465 from Haymarket and $627 from Surry Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Haymarket and $1,920 from Surry Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Haymarket and Surry Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Haymarket costs a cumulative $60,036 and Surry Hills costs $56,735 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,301 in favour of Surry Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Haymarket and Surry Hills 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: Sydney rates (OLG and Sydney 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.