Redfern vs Surry Hills, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $264 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, Surry Hills costs about $3,000 less to run than Redfern. That's about $6 a week.
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Surry Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Redfern | Surry Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $924 | $924 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $912 | $648 | +$264 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $4,884 | $4,620 | +$264 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,892 | $5,892 | - |
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 | Redfern | Surry Hills | 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, Redfern vs Surry Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Redfern and Surry Hills cost within $264 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,027, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $264 per year. Redfern is 2.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,892 and $5,892 a year, so the $264 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $924 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Surry Hills by $264 a year, $648 against $912.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,500 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
The catchment state school scores 9.4 in Redfern against 8.4 in Surry Hills, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Redfern cumulative | Surry Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $4,884 | $4,620 | $264 |
| Year 3 | $15,096 | $14,280 | $816 |
| Year 5 | $25,930 | $24,528 | $1,402 |
| Year 10 | $55,990 | $52,963 | $3,027 |
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 $4,620 per year versus $4,884 for Redfern, a difference of $264 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $912 from Redfern and $648 from Surry Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $55,990 and Surry Hills costs $52,963 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,027 in favour of Surry Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Redfern and Surry Hills suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.