Redfern 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
Redfern and Surry Hills are both Sydney rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.7 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 $255 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 →Redfern
Surry Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Redfern | Surry Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $882 | $627 | +$255 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,204 | $4,949 | +$255 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,242 | $6,242 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Redfern | 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 — Redfern vs Surry Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redfern and Surry Hills cost within $255 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,923, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $255 per year. Redfern is 2.7 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, $6,242 and $6,242 a year, so the $255 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Redfern cumulative | Surry Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,204 | $4,949 | $255 |
| Year 3 | $16,085 | $15,297 | $788 |
| Year 5 | $27,629 | $26,275 | $1,354 |
| Year 10 | $59,658 | $56,735 | $2,923 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Redfern or Surry Hills cheaper to live in?
Surry Hills is cheaper to run by car at $4,949 per year versus $5,204 for Redfern, a difference of $255 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Redfern and Surry Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $924 in Redfern (Sydney rates (OLG) and $924 in Surry Hills (Sydney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Redfern 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 Redfern and Surry Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $882 from Redfern and $627 from Surry Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Redfern and $1,920 from Surry Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Redfern and Surry Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Redfern costs a cumulative $59,658 and Surry Hills costs $56,735 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,923 in favour of Surry Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Redfern 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.