Paddington vs Rushcutters Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Paddington (Woollahra rates (OLG) and Rushcutters Bay (Sydney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (2.4 km and 1.9 km).
Rushcutters Bay runs $480 a year cheaper than Paddington, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,503.
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 →Paddington
Rushcutters Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Paddington | Rushcutters Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,894 | $924 | +$970 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $787 | $627 | +$160 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,529 | $6,049 | +$480 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,662 | $7,342 | +$320 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Paddington | Rushcutters Bay | 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 — Paddington vs Rushcutters Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rushcutters Bay costs $480 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,503 in favour of Rushcutters Bay.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $970 per year.
On public transport the gap is $320 per year, $7,662 from Paddington versus $7,342 from Rushcutters Bay.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Paddington cumulative | Rushcutters Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,529 | $6,049 | $480 |
| Year 3 | $20,180 | $18,697 | $1,483 |
| Year 5 | $34,663 | $32,115 | $2,548 |
| Year 10 | $74,848 | $69,345 | $5,503 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paddington or Rushcutters Bay cheaper to live in?
Rushcutters Bay is cheaper to run by car at $6,049 per year versus $6,529 for Paddington, a difference of $480 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Paddington and Rushcutters Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,894 in Paddington (Woollahra rates (OLG) and $924 in Rushcutters Bay (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Paddington and $1,548 in Rushcutters Bay. 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 Paddington and Rushcutters Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $787 from Paddington and $627 from Rushcutters Bay to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Paddington and $1,920 from Rushcutters Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Paddington and Rushcutters Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Paddington costs a cumulative $74,848 and Rushcutters Bay costs $69,345 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,503 in favour of Rushcutters Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Paddington and Rushcutters Bay 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: Woollahra 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.