Howards Grass vs Tullera: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Howards Grass and Tullera are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 598.8 km and 602 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Tullera runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Howards Grass, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Tullera costs about $12,600 less to run than Howards Grass — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Tullera
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Howards Grass | Tullera | 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 | $3,100 | $2,000 | +$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,534 | $22,434 | +$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,334 | $7,234 | +$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Howards Grass | Tullera | 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 — Howards Grass vs Tullera (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tullera costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,610 in favour of Tullera.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Howards Grass carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $8,334 from Howards Grass versus $7,234 from Tullera.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Howards Grass cumulative | Tullera cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,534 | $22,434 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $72,741 | $69,341 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $124,945 | $119,105 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $269,791 | $257,181 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Howards Grass or Tullera cheaper to live in?
Tullera is cheaper to run by car at $22,434 per year versus $23,534 for Howards Grass, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Howards Grass and Tullera?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Howards Grass (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Tullera (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Howards Grass and $1,300 in Tullera. 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 Tullera?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Howards Grass and $17,600 from Tullera to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Howards Grass and $2,400 from Tullera.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Howards Grass and Tullera?
At 3% annual cost growth, Howards Grass costs a cumulative $269,791 and Tullera costs $257,181 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Tullera. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Howards Grass and Tullera 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.