Mosman vs Vaucluse, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mosman (Mosman rates (OLG) and Vaucluse (Woollahra rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (5.9 km and 6.3 km).
Mosman runs $396 a year cheaper than Vaucluse, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,540.
Over 10 years, Mosman costs about $4,500 less to run than Vaucluse. That's about $9 a week.
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Vaucluse
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mosman | Vaucluse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,766 | $1,894 | -$128 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,910 | $2,028 | -$118 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,700 | $1,850 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,924 | $7,320 | -$396 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,934 | $7,212 | -$278 |
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 | Mosman | Vaucluse | 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, Mosman vs Vaucluse (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mosman costs $396 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,540 in favour of Mosman.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Vaucluse carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $278 per year, $6,934 from Mosman versus $7,212 from Vaucluse.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Mosman by $128 a year, $1,766 against $1,894.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Mosman by $118 a year, $1,910 against $2,028.
- Building insurance favours Mosman by $150 a year, $1,700 against $1,850.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated medium in Vaucluse against low in Mosman, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Mosman against low in Vaucluse, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mosman cumulative | Vaucluse cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,924 | $7,320 | $396 |
| Year 3 | $21,401 | $22,625 | $1,224 |
| Year 5 | $36,760 | $38,863 | $2,103 |
| Year 10 | $79,376 | $83,916 | $4,540 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mosman or Vaucluse cheaper to live in?
Mosman is cheaper to run by car at $6,924 per year versus $7,320 for Vaucluse, a difference of $396 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mosman and Vaucluse?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Mosman (Mosman rates (OLG) and $1,894 in Vaucluse (Woollahra rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Mosman and $1,548 in Vaucluse. 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 Mosman and Vaucluse?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,910 from Mosman and $2,028 from Vaucluse to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Mosman and $1,920 from Vaucluse.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mosman and Vaucluse?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mosman costs a cumulative $79,376 and Vaucluse costs $83,916 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,540 in favour of Mosman. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mosman and Vaucluse suits you better?
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Sources: Mosman 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.