Cawongla vs Larnook: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cawongla (Kyogle rates (OLG) and Larnook (Lismore rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
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 →Cawongla
Larnook
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cawongla | Larnook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,320 | $1,534 | -$214 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,220 | $23,434 | -$214 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,420 | $7,634 | -$214 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cawongla | Larnook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Cawongla vs Larnook (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cawongla and Larnook cost within $214 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,454, 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, $7,420 from Cawongla versus $7,634 from Larnook.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Cawongla by $214 a year, $1,320 against $1,534.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,400 a year.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cawongla cumulative | Larnook cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,220 | $23,434 | $214 |
| Year 3 | $71,771 | $72,432 | $661 |
| Year 5 | $123,278 | $124,414 | $1,136 |
| Year 10 | $266,191 | $268,645 | $2,454 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cawongla or Larnook cheaper to live in?
Cawongla is cheaper to run by car at $23,220 per year versus $23,434 for Larnook, a difference of $214 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cawongla and Larnook?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,320 in Cawongla (Kyogle rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Larnook (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Cawongla and $1,300 in Larnook. 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 Cawongla and Larnook?
Cawongla carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Larnook carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Cawongla and $2,400 from Larnook.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cawongla and Larnook?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cawongla costs a cumulative $266,191 and Larnook costs $268,645 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,454 in favour of Cawongla. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cawongla and Larnook 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.
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Sources: Kyogle rates (OLG and Lismore rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.