Caringbah South vs Lilli Pilli: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caringbah South and Lilli Pilli are both Sutherland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 22.2 km and 23.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $188 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 →Caringbah South
Lilli Pilli
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caringbah South | Lilli Pilli | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,617 | $1,617 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,420 | $5,608 | -$188 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,535 | $11,723 | -$188 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,515 | $8,515 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Caringbah South | Lilli Pilli | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Caringbah South vs Lilli Pilli (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caringbah South and Lilli Pilli cost within $188 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,155, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $188 per year. Lilli Pilli is 23.5 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,515 and $8,515 a year, so the $188 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caringbah South cumulative | Lilli Pilli cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,535 | $11,723 | $188 |
| Year 3 | $35,654 | $36,235 | $581 |
| Year 5 | $61,241 | $62,239 | $998 |
| Year 10 | $132,236 | $134,391 | $2,155 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caringbah South or Lilli Pilli cheaper to live in?
Caringbah South is cheaper to run by car at $11,535 per year versus $11,723 for Lilli Pilli, a difference of $188 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caringbah South and Lilli Pilli?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,617 in Caringbah South (Sutherland rates (OLG) and $1,617 in Lilli Pilli (Sutherland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Caringbah South and $1,548 in Lilli Pilli. 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 Caringbah South and Lilli Pilli?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,420 from Caringbah South and $5,608 from Lilli Pilli to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Caringbah South and $2,400 from Lilli Pilli.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caringbah South and Lilli Pilli?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caringbah South costs a cumulative $132,236 and Lilli Pilli costs $134,391 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,155 in favour of Caringbah South. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caringbah South and Lilli Pilli 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: Sutherland rates (OLG and Sutherland 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.