Auburn vs Lidcombe, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/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 $24 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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Lidcombe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Auburn | Lidcombe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,083 | $1,083 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,678 | $4,302 | +$376 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,450 | $1,850 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,759 | $8,783 | -$24 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,467 | $6,867 | -$400 |
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 | Auburn | Lidcombe | 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, Auburn vs Lidcombe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Auburn and Lidcombe cost within $24 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $275, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Lidcombe carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,467 from Auburn versus $6,867 from Lidcombe.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,083 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lidcombe by $376 a year, $4,302 against $4,678.
- Building insurance favours Auburn by $400 a year, $1,450 against $1,850.
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 Lidcombe against medium in Auburn, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Auburn cumulative | Lidcombe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,759 | $8,783 | $24 |
| Year 3 | $27,073 | $27,147 | $74 |
| Year 5 | $46,503 | $46,630 | $127 |
| Year 10 | $100,412 | $100,687 | $275 |
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 $8,759 per year versus $8,783 for Lidcombe, a difference of $24 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $4,678 from Auburn and $4,302 from Lidcombe to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/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 $100,412 and Lidcombe costs $100,687 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $275 in favour of Auburn. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Auburn and Lidcombe suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.