Glenroy vs Lavington: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Glenroy and Lavington are both Albury rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.6 km and 4.6 km from Albury CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $236 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 →Glenroy
Lavington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Glenroy | Lavington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,631 | $1,631 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $879 | $1,515 | -$636 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,210 | $6,446 | -$236 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,731 | $7,331 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Glenroy | Lavington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,150 | $3,150 | - |
| Unit | $2,611 | $2,611 | - |
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 — Glenroy vs Lavington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Glenroy and Lavington cost within $236 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,705, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $636 per year. Lavington is 4.6 km from Albury CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,731 from Glenroy versus $7,331 from Lavington.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,631 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Glenroy by $636 a year, $879 against $1,515.
- Building insurance favours Lavington by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Glenroy against medium in Lavington, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 4.6 in Lavington against 3.4 in Glenroy, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Glenroy cumulative | Lavington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,210 | $6,446 | $236 |
| Year 3 | $19,194 | $19,924 | $730 |
| Year 5 | $32,970 | $34,223 | $1,253 |
| Year 10 | $71,191 | $73,896 | $2,705 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glenroy or Lavington cheaper to live in?
Glenroy is cheaper to run by car at $6,210 per year versus $6,446 for Lavington, a difference of $236 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Glenroy and Lavington?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,631 in Glenroy (Albury rates (OLG) and $1,631 in Lavington (Albury rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Glenroy and $1,300 in Lavington. 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 Glenroy and Lavington?
Annual driving commute costs are $879 from Glenroy and $1,515 from Lavington to Albury CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Glenroy and $2,400 from Lavington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Glenroy and Lavington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Glenroy costs a cumulative $71,191 and Lavington costs $73,896 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,705 in favour of Glenroy. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Glenroy and Lavington 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: Albury rates (OLG and Albury 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.