Flagstone Creek vs Lilydale, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Flagstone Creek and Lilydale are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 19.2 km and 14.5 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lilydale runs $950 a year cheaper than Flagstone Creek, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,891.
Over 10 years, Lilydale costs about $10,900 less to run than Flagstone Creek. That's about $21 a week.
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Lilydale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Flagstone Creek | Lilydale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,099 | $4,149 | +$950 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,099 | $4,149 | +$950 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,550 | $2,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,300 | $1,500 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,944 | $9,994 | +$950 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,944 | $9,994 | +$950 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Flagstone Creek | Lilydale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, Flagstone Creek vs Lilydale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lilydale costs $950 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,891 in favour of Lilydale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $950 per year. Flagstone Creek is 19.2 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $10,944 from Flagstone Creek versus $9,994 from Lilydale.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,395 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lilydale by $950 a year, $4,149 against $5,099.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,550 a year.
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 commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Flagstone Creek cumulative | Lilydale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,944 | $9,994 | $950 |
| Year 3 | $33,827 | $30,890 | $2,937 |
| Year 5 | $58,103 | $53,060 | $5,043 |
| Year 10 | $125,461 | $114,570 | $10,891 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Flagstone Creek or Lilydale cheaper to live in?
Lilydale is cheaper to run by car at $9,994 per year versus $10,944 for Flagstone Creek, a difference of $950 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Flagstone Creek and Lilydale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Flagstone Creek (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Lilydale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Flagstone Creek and $1,900 in Lilydale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Flagstone Creek and Lilydale?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,099 from Flagstone Creek and $4,149 from Lilydale to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Flagstone Creek and Lilydale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Flagstone Creek costs a cumulative $125,461 and Lilydale costs $114,570 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,891 in favour of Lilydale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Flagstone Creek and Lilydale suits you better?
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Sources: Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.