Buckendoon vs North Woodburn: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Buckendoon and North Woodburn are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 574.3 km and 571.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Buckendoon
North Woodburn
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Buckendoon | North Woodburn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,534 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,534 | $23,534 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,334 | $8,334 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Buckendoon | North Woodburn | 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 — Buckendoon vs North Woodburn (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Buckendoon and North Woodburn cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,334 and $8,334 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Buckendoon cumulative | North Woodburn cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,534 | $23,534 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,741 | $72,741 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,945 | $124,945 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $269,791 | $269,791 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buckendoon or North Woodburn cheaper to live in?
Buckendoon is cheaper to run by car at $23,534 per year versus $23,534 for North Woodburn, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Buckendoon and North Woodburn?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Buckendoon (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in North Woodburn (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Buckendoon and $1,300 in North Woodburn. 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 Buckendoon and North Woodburn?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Buckendoon and $17,600 from North Woodburn to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Buckendoon and $2,400 from North Woodburn.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Buckendoon and North Woodburn?
At 3% annual cost growth, Buckendoon costs a cumulative $269,791 and North Woodburn costs $269,791 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Buckendoon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Buckendoon and North Woodburn 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 Lismore 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.