Lillian Rock vs Stony Chute, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lillian Rock (Kyogle rates (OLG) and Stony Chute (Lismore rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
The two sit within $136 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 the gap between these two is about $1,600, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Stony Chute
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lillian Rock | Stony Chute | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,320 | $1,534 | -$214 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $1,800 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,970 | $22,834 | +$136 |
| Total (public transport) | $22,970 | $22,834 | +$136 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lillian Rock | Stony Chute | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Lillian Rock vs Stony Chute (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lillian Rock and Stony Chute differ by $136 a year by car, but $350 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $214, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $22,970 and $22,834 a year, so the $136 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Lillian Rock by $214 a year, $1,320 against $1,534.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Stony Chute by $350 a year, $1,800 against $2,150.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Lillian Rock against medium in Stony Chute, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lillian Rock cumulative | Stony Chute cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,970 | $22,834 | $136 |
| Year 3 | $70,998 | $70,578 | $420 |
| Year 5 | $121,951 | $121,229 | $722 |
| Year 10 | $263,325 | $261,766 | $1,559 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lillian Rock or Stony Chute cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Lillian Rock runs $22,970 a year by car and Stony Chute $22,834, but most of the $136 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $214. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lillian Rock and Stony Chute?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,320 in Lillian Rock (Kyogle rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Stony Chute (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lillian Rock and $1,300 in Stony Chute. 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 Lillian Rock and Stony Chute?
Lillian Rock carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Stony Chute carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lillian Rock and Stony Chute?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lillian Rock costs a cumulative $263,325 and Stony Chute costs $261,766 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,559 in favour of Stony Chute. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lillian Rock and Stony Chute suits you better?
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Sources: Kyogle rates (OLG and Lismore rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.