Lidcombe vs Newington: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lidcombe (Cumberland rates (OLG) and Newington (Parramatta rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (15.2 km and 14.6 km).
The two sit within $54 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.
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 →Lidcombe
Newington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lidcombe | Newington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,083 | $1,156 | -$73 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,160 | $4,033 | +$127 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,386 | $2,386 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,741 | $9,687 | +$54 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,967 | $8,040 | -$73 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lidcombe | Newington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
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 — Lidcombe vs Newington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lidcombe and Newington cost within $54 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $619, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $127 per year. Lidcombe is 15.2 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,967 and $8,040 a year, so the $54 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lidcombe cumulative | Newington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,741 | $9,687 | $54 |
| Year 3 | $30,108 | $29,942 | $166 |
| Year 5 | $51,716 | $51,430 | $286 |
| Year 10 | $111,670 | $111,051 | $619 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lidcombe or Newington cheaper to live in?
Newington is cheaper to run by car at $9,687 per year versus $9,741 for Lidcombe, a difference of $54 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lidcombe and Newington?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,083 in Lidcombe (Cumberland rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Newington (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lidcombe and $1,548 in Newington. 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 Lidcombe and Newington?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,160 from Lidcombe and $4,033 from Newington to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,386 from Lidcombe and $2,386 from Newington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lidcombe and Newington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lidcombe costs a cumulative $111,670 and Newington costs $111,051 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $619 in favour of Newington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lidcombe and Newington 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: Cumberland rates (OLG and Parramatta 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.