Newtown 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
Newtown (Inner West rates (OLG) and Surry Hills (Sydney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (4.6 km and 1.9 km).
Surry Hills runs $1,765 a year cheaper than Newtown, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,233.
Over 10 years, Surry Hills costs about $20,200 less to run than Newtown — the same as paying $20,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Newtown
Surry Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Newtown | Surry Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $924 | +$477 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,465 | $627 | +$838 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $1,850 | +$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,714 | $4,949 | +$1,765 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,169 | $6,242 | +$927 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Newtown | 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 — Newtown vs Surry Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Surry Hills costs $1,765 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,233 in favour of Surry Hills.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $838 per year. Newtown is 4.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $927 per year, $7,169 from Newtown versus $6,242 from Surry Hills.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Newtown cumulative | Surry Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,714 | $4,949 | $1,765 |
| Year 3 | $20,752 | $15,297 | $5,455 |
| Year 5 | $35,646 | $26,275 | $9,371 |
| Year 10 | $76,968 | $56,735 | $20,233 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Newtown or Surry Hills cheaper to live in?
Surry Hills is cheaper to run by car at $4,949 per year versus $6,714 for Newtown, a difference of $1,765 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Newtown and Surry Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Newtown (Inner West rates (OLG) and $924 in Surry Hills (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Newtown 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 Newtown and Surry Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,465 from Newtown and $627 from Surry Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Newtown and $1,920 from Surry Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Newtown and Surry Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Newtown costs a cumulative $76,968 and Surry Hills costs $56,735 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,233 in favour of Surry Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Newtown and Surry Hills is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Inner West 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.