Lilydale vs Ma Ma Creek: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lilydale and Ma Ma Creek are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 14.5 km and 12.5 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ma Ma Creek runs $363 a year cheaper than Lilydale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,161.
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
Ma Ma Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lilydale | Ma Ma Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,149 | $3,686 | +$463 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,200 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,300 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,544 | $10,181 | +$363 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,587 | $6,687 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Lilydale | Ma Ma Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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 Ma Ma Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ma Ma Creek costs $363 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,161 in favour of Ma Ma Creek.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $463 per year. Lilydale is 14.5 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,587 and $6,687 a year, so the $363 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,395 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ma Ma Creek by $463 a year, $3,686 against $4,149.
- Building insurance favours Lilydale by $100 a year, $3,100 against $3,200.
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 commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lilydale cumulative | Ma Ma Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,544 | $10,181 | $363 |
| Year 3 | $32,590 | $31,468 | $1,122 |
| Year 5 | $55,980 | $54,052 | $1,928 |
| Year 10 | $120,875 | $116,714 | $4,161 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lilydale or Ma Ma Creek cheaper to live in?
Ma Ma Creek is cheaper to run by car at $10,181 per year versus $10,544 for Lilydale, a difference of $363 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lilydale and Ma Ma Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Lilydale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Ma Ma Creek (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lilydale and $1,900 in Ma Ma Creek. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lilydale and Ma Ma Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,149 from Lilydale and $3,686 from Ma Ma Creek to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Lilydale and $192 from Ma Ma Creek.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lilydale and Ma Ma Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lilydale costs a cumulative $120,875 and Ma Ma Creek costs $116,714 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,161 in favour of Ma Ma Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lilydale and Ma Ma Creek 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: Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council 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.