Blue Knob vs Lillian Rock: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blue Knob (Lismore rates (OLG) and Lillian Rock (Kyogle rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (620.7 km and 620.5 km).
The two sit within $214 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 →Blue Knob
Lillian Rock
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blue Knob | Lillian Rock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,320 | +$214 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,834 | $22,620 | +$214 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,634 | $7,420 | +$214 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Blue Knob | Lillian Rock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,098 | $2,098 | - |
| Unit | $1,679 | $1,679 | - |
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 — Blue Knob vs Lillian Rock (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Blue Knob and Lillian Rock cost within $214 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,453, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $214 per year.
On public transport the gap is $214 per year, $7,634 from Blue Knob versus $7,420 from Lillian Rock.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Blue Knob cumulative | Lillian Rock cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,834 | $22,620 | $214 |
| Year 3 | $70,578 | $69,916 | $662 |
| Year 5 | $121,229 | $120,093 | $1,136 |
| Year 10 | $261,766 | $259,313 | $2,453 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blue Knob or Lillian Rock cheaper to live in?
Lillian Rock is cheaper to run by car at $22,620 per year versus $22,834 for Blue Knob, a difference of $214 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blue Knob and Lillian Rock?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Blue Knob (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,320 in Lillian Rock (Kyogle rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Blue Knob and $1,300 in Lillian Rock. 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 Blue Knob and Lillian Rock?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Blue Knob and $17,600 from Lillian Rock to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Blue Knob and $2,400 from Lillian Rock.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Blue Knob and Lillian Rock?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blue Knob costs a cumulative $261,766 and Lillian Rock costs $259,313 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,453 in favour of Lillian Rock. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blue Knob and Lillian Rock 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Kyogle 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.