Ashcroft vs Lurnea, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashcroft and Lurnea are both Liverpool rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 28.9 km and 29.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $26 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.
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Lurnea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashcroft | Lurnea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,376 | $1,376 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,451 | $6,525 | -$74 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,950 | $1,850 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,325 | $11,299 | +$26 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,274 | $7,174 | +$100 |
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 | Ashcroft | Lurnea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Ashcroft vs Lurnea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ashcroft and Lurnea cost within $26 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $298, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $100 per year. Ashcroft carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,274 and $7,174 a year, so the $26 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,376 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ashcroft by $74 a year, $6,451 against $6,525.
- Building insurance favours Lurnea by $100 a year, $1,850 against $1,950.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashcroft cumulative | Lurnea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,325 | $11,299 | $26 |
| Year 3 | $35,004 | $34,924 | $80 |
| Year 5 | $60,126 | $59,988 | $138 |
| Year 10 | $129,828 | $129,530 | $298 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashcroft or Lurnea cheaper to live in?
Lurnea is cheaper to run by car at $11,299 per year versus $11,325 for Ashcroft, a difference of $26 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashcroft and Lurnea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,376 in Ashcroft (Liverpool rates (OLG) and $1,376 in Lurnea (Liverpool rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Ashcroft and $1,548 in Lurnea. 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 Ashcroft and Lurnea?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,451 from Ashcroft and $6,525 from Lurnea to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ashcroft and $2,400 from Lurnea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashcroft and Lurnea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashcroft costs a cumulative $129,828 and Lurnea costs $129,530 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $298 in favour of Lurnea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashcroft and Lurnea suits you better?
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Sources: Liverpool rates (OLG and Liverpool 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.