Lagoon Grass vs Woodlawn: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lagoon Grass and Woodlawn are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 599.7 km and 601.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Lagoon Grass
Woodlawn
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lagoon Grass | Woodlawn | 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 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,534 | $23,534 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $8,334 | $8,334 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lagoon Grass | Woodlawn | 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 — Lagoon Grass vs Woodlawn (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lagoon Grass and Woodlawn cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,334 and $8,334 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lagoon Grass cumulative | Woodlawn cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,534 | $23,534 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $72,741 | $72,741 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $124,945 | $124,945 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $269,791 | $269,791 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lagoon Grass or Woodlawn cheaper to live in?
Lagoon Grass is cheaper to run by car at $23,534 per year versus $23,534 for Woodlawn, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lagoon Grass and Woodlawn?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Lagoon Grass (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Woodlawn (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lagoon Grass and $1,300 in Woodlawn. 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 Lagoon Grass and Woodlawn?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lagoon Grass and $17,600 from Woodlawn to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lagoon Grass and $2,400 from Woodlawn.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lagoon Grass and Woodlawn?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lagoon Grass costs a cumulative $269,791 and Woodlawn costs $269,791 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Lagoon Grass. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lagoon Grass and Woodlawn 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.
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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.