Lane Cove vs Linley Point: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lane Cove and Linley Point are both Lane Cove rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 7.1 km and 7.2 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lane Cove runs $1,128 a year cheaper than Linley Point, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,931.
Over 10 years, Lane Cove costs about $12,900 less to run than Linley Point — the same as paying $12,900 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 →Lane Cove
Linley Point
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lane Cove | Linley Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,502 | $1,502 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,186 | $2,214 | -$28 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $2,950 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,086 | $8,214 | -$1,128 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,820 | $7,920 | -$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 | Lane Cove | Linley Point | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Lane Cove vs Linley Point (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lane Cove costs $1,128 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,931 in favour of Lane Cove.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Linley Point carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $6,820 from Lane Cove versus $7,920 from Linley Point.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lane Cove cumulative | Linley Point cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,086 | $8,214 | $1,128 |
| Year 3 | $21,902 | $25,389 | $3,487 |
| Year 5 | $37,621 | $43,609 | $5,988 |
| Year 10 | $81,233 | $94,164 | $12,931 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lane Cove or Linley Point cheaper to live in?
Lane Cove is cheaper to run by car at $7,086 per year versus $8,214 for Linley Point, a difference of $1,128 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lane Cove and Linley Point?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,502 in Lane Cove (Lane Cove rates (OLG) and $1,502 in Linley Point (Lane Cove rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lane Cove and $1,548 in Linley Point. 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 Lane Cove and Linley Point?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,186 from Lane Cove and $2,214 from Linley Point to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Lane Cove and $1,920 from Linley Point.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lane Cove and Linley Point?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lane Cove costs a cumulative $81,233 and Linley Point costs $94,164 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,931 in favour of Lane Cove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lane Cove and Linley Point 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: Lane Cove rates (OLG and Lane Cove 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.