Leichhardt vs Lilyfield: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Leichhardt and Lilyfield are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5 km and 4.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Leichhardt runs $471 a year cheaper than Lilyfield, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,399.
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 →Leichhardt
Lilyfield
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Leichhardt | Lilyfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,584 | $1,405 | +$179 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,950 | -$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $3,500 | -$900 |
| Total (driving) | $6,833 | $7,304 | -$471 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,169 | $7,819 | -$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 | Leichhardt | Lilyfield | 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 — Leichhardt vs Lilyfield (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Leichhardt costs $471 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,399 in favour of Leichhardt.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Lilyfield carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $7,169 from Leichhardt versus $7,819 from Lilyfield.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Leichhardt cumulative | Lilyfield cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,833 | $7,304 | $471 |
| Year 3 | $21,120 | $22,576 | $1,456 |
| Year 5 | $36,277 | $38,778 | $2,501 |
| Year 10 | $78,333 | $83,732 | $5,399 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leichhardt or Lilyfield cheaper to live in?
Leichhardt is cheaper to run by car at $6,833 per year versus $7,304 for Lilyfield, a difference of $471 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Leichhardt and Lilyfield?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Leichhardt (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Lilyfield (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Leichhardt and $1,548 in Lilyfield. 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 Leichhardt and Lilyfield?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,584 from Leichhardt and $1,405 from Lilyfield to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Leichhardt and $1,920 from Lilyfield.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Leichhardt and Lilyfield?
At 3% annual cost growth, Leichhardt costs a cumulative $78,333 and Lilyfield costs $83,732 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,399 in favour of Leichhardt. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Leichhardt and Lilyfield 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: Inner West rates (OLG and Inner West 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.