Keerrong vs Koonorigan: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Keerrong and Koonorigan are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 605 km and 603.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Koonorigan runs $650 a year cheaper than Keerrong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
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 →Keerrong
Koonorigan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Keerrong | Koonorigan | 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 | $2,450 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,534 | $22,884 | +$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,334 | $7,684 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Keerrong | Koonorigan | 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 — Keerrong vs Koonorigan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Koonorigan costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Koonorigan.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Keerrong carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,334 from Keerrong versus $7,684 from Koonorigan.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Keerrong cumulative | Koonorigan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,534 | $22,884 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $72,741 | $70,732 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $124,945 | $121,494 | $3,451 |
| Year 10 | $269,791 | $262,339 | $7,452 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Keerrong or Koonorigan cheaper to live in?
Koonorigan is cheaper to run by car at $22,884 per year versus $23,534 for Keerrong, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Keerrong and Koonorigan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Keerrong (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Koonorigan (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Keerrong and $1,300 in Koonorigan. 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 Keerrong and Koonorigan?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Keerrong and $17,600 from Koonorigan to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Keerrong and $2,400 from Koonorigan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Keerrong and Koonorigan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Keerrong costs a cumulative $269,791 and Koonorigan costs $262,339 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 in favour of Koonorigan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Keerrong and Koonorigan 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.