Ashmont vs Lloyd: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ashmont and Lloyd are both Wagga Wagga rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.2 km and 5.4 km from Wagga Wagga CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ashmont runs $537 a year cheaper than Lloyd, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,156.
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 →Ashmont
Lloyd
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ashmont | Lloyd | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,294 | $1,294 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,073 | $1,760 | -$687 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,150 | $2,000 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,817 | $6,354 | -$537 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,144 | $6,994 | +$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Ashmont | Lloyd | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Ashmont vs Lloyd (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ashmont costs $537 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,156 in favour of Ashmont.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $687 per year. Lloyd is 5.4 km from Wagga Wagga CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,144 and $6,994 a year, so the $537 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,294 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ashmont by $687 a year, $1,073 against $1,760.
- Building insurance favours Lloyd by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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 medium in Ashmont against low in Lloyd, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Lloyd against low in Ashmont, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ashmont cumulative | Lloyd cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,817 | $6,354 | $537 |
| Year 3 | $17,980 | $19,640 | $1,660 |
| Year 5 | $30,883 | $33,734 | $2,851 |
| Year 10 | $66,685 | $72,841 | $6,156 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashmont or Lloyd cheaper to live in?
Ashmont is cheaper to run by car at $5,817 per year versus $6,354 for Lloyd, a difference of $537 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ashmont and Lloyd?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,294 in Ashmont (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG) and $1,294 in Lloyd (Wagga Wagga rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Ashmont and $1,300 in Lloyd. 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 Ashmont and Lloyd?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,073 from Ashmont and $1,760 from Lloyd to Wagga Wagga CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Ashmont and $2,400 from Lloyd.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ashmont and Lloyd?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ashmont costs a cumulative $66,685 and Lloyd costs $72,841 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,156 in favour of Ashmont. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ashmont and Lloyd 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.
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Sources: Wagga Wagga rates (OLG and Wagga Wagga rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.