Chilcotts Grass vs Lismore Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chilcotts Grass and Lismore Heights are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $150 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 →Chilcotts Grass
Lismore Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chilcotts Grass | Lismore Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,534 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,034 | $23,184 | -$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,384 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Chilcotts Grass | Lismore Heights | 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 — Chilcotts Grass vs Lismore Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chilcotts Grass and Lismore Heights cost within $150 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,720, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Lismore Heights carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,234 and $7,384 a year, so the $150 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,534 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Chilcotts Grass by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Lismore Heights against low in Chilcotts Grass, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Chilcotts Grass against low in Lismore Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 5.3 in Lismore Heights against 2.2 in Chilcotts Grass, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chilcotts Grass cumulative | Lismore Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,034 | $23,184 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $71,196 | $71,659 | $463 |
| Year 5 | $122,291 | $123,087 | $796 |
| Year 10 | $264,059 | $265,779 | $1,720 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chilcotts Grass or Lismore Heights cheaper to live in?
Chilcotts Grass is cheaper to run by car at $23,034 per year versus $23,184 for Lismore Heights, a difference of $150 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chilcotts Grass and Lismore Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Chilcotts Grass (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Lismore Heights (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Chilcotts Grass and $1,300 in Lismore Heights. 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 Chilcotts Grass and Lismore Heights?
Chilcotts Grass 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. Lismore Heights 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 Chilcotts Grass and $2,400 from Lismore Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chilcotts Grass and Lismore Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chilcotts Grass costs a cumulative $264,059 and Lismore Heights costs $265,779 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,720 in favour of Chilcotts Grass. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chilcotts Grass and Lismore Heights 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: Lismore 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.