Girards Hill vs Monaltrie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Girards Hill and Monaltrie are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 595 km and 591.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Girards Hill runs $950 a year cheaper than Monaltrie, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,891.
Over 10 years, Girards Hill costs about $10,900 less to run than Monaltrie — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Monaltrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Girards Hill | Monaltrie | 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 | $2,150 | $3,100 | -$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,584 | $23,534 | -$950 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,384 | $8,334 | -$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Girards Hill | Monaltrie | 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 — Girards Hill vs Monaltrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Girards Hill 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 Girards Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Monaltrie carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $7,384 from Girards Hill versus $8,334 from Monaltrie.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Girards Hill cumulative | Monaltrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,584 | $23,534 | $950 |
| Year 3 | $69,805 | $72,741 | $2,936 |
| Year 5 | $119,902 | $124,945 | $5,043 |
| Year 10 | $258,900 | $269,791 | $10,891 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Girards Hill or Monaltrie cheaper to live in?
Girards Hill is cheaper to run by car at $22,584 per year versus $23,534 for Monaltrie, a difference of $950 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Girards Hill and Monaltrie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Girards Hill (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Monaltrie (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Girards Hill and $1,300 in Monaltrie. 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 Girards Hill and Monaltrie?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Girards Hill and $17,600 from Monaltrie to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Girards Hill and $2,400 from Monaltrie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Girards Hill and Monaltrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Girards Hill costs a cumulative $258,900 and Monaltrie costs $269,791 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,891 in favour of Girards Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Girards Hill and Monaltrie 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.