Rose Bay vs Vaucluse, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Rose Bay and Vaucluse are both Woollahra rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5.5 km and 6.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $262 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 the gap between these two is about $3,000, about $6 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Vaucluse
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Rose Bay | Vaucluse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,894 | $1,894 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,790 | $2,028 | -$238 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $1,850 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,582 | $7,320 | +$262 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,712 | $7,212 | +$500 |
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 | Rose Bay | Vaucluse | 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, Rose Bay vs Vaucluse (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rose Bay and Vaucluse differ by $262 a year by car, but $500 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $238, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year. Rose Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $7,712 from Rose Bay versus $7,212 from Vaucluse.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,894 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rose Bay by $238 a year, $1,790 against $2,028.
- Building insurance favours Vaucluse by $500 a year, $1,850 against $2,350.
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 and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Rose Bay against medium in Vaucluse, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Rose Bay cumulative | Vaucluse cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,582 | $7,320 | $262 |
| Year 3 | $23,435 | $22,625 | $810 |
| Year 5 | $40,254 | $38,863 | $1,391 |
| Year 10 | $86,919 | $83,916 | $3,003 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rose Bay or Vaucluse cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Rose Bay runs $7,582 a year by car and Vaucluse $7,320, but most of the $262 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $238. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Rose Bay and Vaucluse?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,894 in Rose Bay (Woollahra rates (OLG) and $1,894 in Vaucluse (Woollahra rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Rose Bay and $1,548 in Vaucluse. 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 Rose Bay and Vaucluse?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,790 from Rose Bay and $2,028 from Vaucluse to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Rose Bay and $1,920 from Vaucluse.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Rose Bay and Vaucluse?
At 3% annual cost growth, Rose Bay costs a cumulative $86,919 and Vaucluse costs $83,916 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,003 in favour of Vaucluse. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Rose Bay and Vaucluse suits you better?
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.
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Sources: Woollahra rates (OLG and Woollahra 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.