Auburn vs Lidcombe: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Auburn and Lidcombe are both Cumberland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 17 km and 15.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $286 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 →Auburn
Lidcombe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Auburn | Lidcombe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,083 | $1,083 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,524 | $4,160 | +$364 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,455 | $9,741 | -$286 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,317 | $7,967 | -$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Auburn | Lidcombe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Auburn vs Lidcombe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Auburn and Lidcombe cost within $286 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,279, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Lidcombe carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,317 from Auburn versus $7,967 from Lidcombe.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Auburn cumulative | Lidcombe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,455 | $9,741 | $286 |
| Year 3 | $29,224 | $30,108 | $884 |
| Year 5 | $50,198 | $51,716 | $1,518 |
| Year 10 | $108,391 | $111,670 | $3,279 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Auburn or Lidcombe cheaper to live in?
Auburn is cheaper to run by car at $9,455 per year versus $9,741 for Lidcombe, a difference of $286 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Auburn and Lidcombe?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,083 in Auburn (Cumberland rates (OLG) and $1,083 in Lidcombe (Cumberland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Auburn and $1,548 in Lidcombe. 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 Auburn and Lidcombe?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,524 from Auburn and $4,160 from Lidcombe to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Auburn and $2,386 from Lidcombe.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Auburn and Lidcombe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Auburn costs a cumulative $108,391 and Lidcombe costs $111,670 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,279 in favour of Auburn. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Auburn and Lidcombe 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: Cumberland rates (OLG and Cumberland 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.