Lilydale vs Newbold: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lilydale and Newbold are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 499.1 km and 503.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Newbold runs $400 a year cheaper than Lilydale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,586.
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 →Lilydale
Newbold
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lilydale | Newbold | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,450 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,189 | $22,789 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,989 | $7,589 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lilydale | Newbold | 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 — Lilydale vs Newbold (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Newbold costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,586 in favour of Newbold.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Lilydale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,989 from Lilydale versus $7,589 from Newbold.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lilydale cumulative | Newbold cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,189 | $22,789 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $71,675 | $70,439 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $123,114 | $120,990 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $265,836 | $261,250 | $4,586 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lilydale or Newbold cheaper to live in?
Newbold is cheaper to run by car at $22,789 per year versus $23,189 for Lilydale, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lilydale and Newbold?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Lilydale (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in Newbold (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lilydale and $1,300 in Newbold. 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 Lilydale and Newbold?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lilydale and $17,600 from Newbold to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lilydale and $2,400 from Newbold.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lilydale and Newbold?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lilydale costs a cumulative $265,836 and Newbold costs $261,250 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,586 in favour of Newbold. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lilydale and Newbold 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: Clarence Valley rates (OLG and Clarence Valley 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.