Lilydale vs Veradilla, 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 Veradilla are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 14.5 km and 10.3 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Veradilla runs $1,164 a year cheaper than Lilydale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,344.
Over 10 years, Veradilla costs about $13,300 less to run than Lilydale. That's about $26 a week.
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Veradilla
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lilydale | Veradilla | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,149 | $3,135 | +$1,014 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,149 | $3,135 | +$1,014 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,550 | $2,400 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,994 | $8,830 | +$1,164 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,994 | $8,830 | +$1,164 |
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: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Lilydale | Veradilla | 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 Veradilla (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Veradilla costs $1,164 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,344 in favour of Veradilla.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,014 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 gap is $1,164 per year, $9,994 from Lilydale versus $8,830 from Veradilla.
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 Veradilla by $1,014 a year, $3,135 against $4,149.
- Building insurance favours Veradilla by $150 a year, $2,400 against $2,550.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.9 in Lilydale against 4.1 in Veradilla, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lilydale cumulative | Veradilla cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,994 | $8,830 | $1,164 |
| Year 3 | $30,890 | $27,293 | $3,597 |
| Year 5 | $53,060 | $46,880 | $6,180 |
| Year 10 | $114,570 | $101,226 | $13,344 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lilydale or Veradilla cheaper to live in?
Veradilla is cheaper to run by car at $8,830 per year versus $9,994 for Lilydale, a difference of $1,164 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lilydale and Veradilla?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Lilydale (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Veradilla (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lilydale and $1,900 in Veradilla. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lilydale and Veradilla?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,149 from Lilydale and $3,135 from Veradilla to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lilydale and Veradilla?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lilydale costs a cumulative $114,570 and Veradilla costs $101,226 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,344 in favour of Veradilla. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lilydale and Veradilla suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.