Lilydale vs Upper Copmanhurst: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lilydale and Upper Copmanhurst are both Clarence Valley rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Upper Copmanhurst runs $400 a year cheaper than Lilydale, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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
Upper Copmanhurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lilydale | Upper Copmanhurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,439 | $1,439 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,450 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,789 | $23,389 | +$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,989 | $7,589 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lilydale | Upper Copmanhurst | 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 — Lilydale vs Upper Copmanhurst (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Upper Copmanhurst costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Upper Copmanhurst.
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 Upper Copmanhurst.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,439 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Upper Copmanhurst by $400 a year, $2,450 against $2,850.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Lilydale against medium in Upper Copmanhurst, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lilydale cumulative | Upper Copmanhurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,789 | $23,389 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $73,529 | $72,293 | $1,236 |
| Year 5 | $126,299 | $124,175 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $272,714 | $268,129 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lilydale or Upper Copmanhurst cheaper to live in?
Upper Copmanhurst is cheaper to run by car at $23,389 per year versus $23,789 for Lilydale, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lilydale and Upper Copmanhurst?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,439 in Lilydale (Clarence Valley rates (OLG) and $1,439 in Upper Copmanhurst (Clarence Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lilydale and $1,300 in Upper Copmanhurst. 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 Upper Copmanhurst?
Lilydale 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. Upper Copmanhurst 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. Public transport costs $2,400 from Lilydale and $2,400 from Upper Copmanhurst.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lilydale and Upper Copmanhurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lilydale costs a cumulative $272,714 and Upper Copmanhurst costs $268,129 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Upper Copmanhurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lilydale and Upper Copmanhurst 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.