Howards 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
Howards 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.
Lismore Heights runs $950 a year cheaper than Howards Grass, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,890.
Over 10 years, Lismore Heights costs about $10,900 less to run than Howards Grass — the same as paying $10,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Howards Grass
Lismore Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Howards 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 | $3,100 | $2,150 | +$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,134 | $23,184 | +$950 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,334 | $7,384 | +$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Howards 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 — Howards Grass vs Lismore Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lismore Heights costs $950 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,890 in favour of Lismore Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Howards Grass carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $8,334 from Howards Grass versus $7,384 from Lismore Heights.
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 Lismore Heights by $950 a year, $2,150 against $3,100.
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 high in Howards Grass against medium in Lismore Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Howards Grass against low in Lismore Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Howards Grass cumulative | Lismore Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,134 | $23,184 | $950 |
| Year 3 | $74,596 | $71,659 | $2,937 |
| Year 5 | $128,131 | $123,087 | $5,044 |
| Year 10 | $276,669 | $265,779 | $10,890 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Howards Grass or Lismore Heights cheaper to live in?
Lismore Heights is cheaper to run by car at $23,184 per year versus $24,134 for Howards Grass, 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 Howards Grass and Lismore Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Howards Grass (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Lismore Heights (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Howards 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 Howards Grass and Lismore Heights?
Howards 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 Howards Grass and $2,400 from Lismore Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Howards Grass and Lismore Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Howards Grass costs a cumulative $276,669 and Lismore Heights costs $265,779 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,890 in favour of Lismore Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Howards 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.
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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.