Potts Point vs Woolloomooloo: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Potts Point and Woolloomooloo are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 1.8 km and 0.9 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $294 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 →Potts Point
Woolloomooloo
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Potts Point | Woolloomooloo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $595 | $301 | +$294 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,017 | $5,723 | +$294 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,342 | $7,342 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Potts Point | Woolloomooloo | 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 — Potts Point vs Woolloomooloo (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Potts Point and Woolloomooloo cost within $294 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,370, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $294 per year. Potts Point is 1.8 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,342 and $7,342 a year, so the $294 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Potts Point cumulative | Woolloomooloo cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,017 | $5,723 | $294 |
| Year 3 | $18,598 | $17,689 | $909 |
| Year 5 | $31,945 | $30,384 | $1,561 |
| Year 10 | $68,978 | $65,608 | $3,370 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Potts Point or Woolloomooloo cheaper to live in?
Woolloomooloo is cheaper to run by car at $5,723 per year versus $6,017 for Potts Point, a difference of $294 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Potts Point and Woolloomooloo?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Potts Point (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Woolloomooloo (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Potts Point and $1,548 in Woolloomooloo. 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 Potts Point and Woolloomooloo?
Annual driving commute costs are $595 from Potts Point and $301 from Woolloomooloo to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Potts Point and $1,920 from Woolloomooloo.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Potts Point and Woolloomooloo?
At 3% annual cost growth, Potts Point costs a cumulative $68,978 and Woolloomooloo costs $65,608 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,370 in favour of Woolloomooloo. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Potts Point and Woolloomooloo 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.