Lilyfield vs Rozelle: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lilyfield and Rozelle are both Inner West rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.4 km and 3.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rozelle runs $348 a year cheaper than Lilyfield, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,989.
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 →Lilyfield
Rozelle
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lilyfield | Rozelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,401 | $1,401 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,453 | $1,105 | +$348 |
| Commute (public transport) | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,500 | $3,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,352 | $7,004 | +$348 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,819 | $7,819 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lilyfield | Rozelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Lilyfield vs Rozelle (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rozelle costs $348 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,989 in favour of Rozelle.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $348 per year. Lilyfield is 4.4 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,819 and $7,819 a year, so the $348 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,401 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Rozelle by $348 a year, $1,105 against $1,453.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,950 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lilyfield cumulative | Rozelle cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,352 | $7,004 | $348 |
| Year 3 | $22,724 | $21,649 | $1,075 |
| Year 5 | $39,033 | $37,185 | $1,848 |
| Year 10 | $84,282 | $80,293 | $3,989 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lilyfield or Rozelle cheaper to live in?
Rozelle is cheaper to run by car at $7,004 per year versus $7,352 for Lilyfield, a difference of $348 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lilyfield and Rozelle?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,401 in Lilyfield (Inner West rates (OLG) and $1,401 in Rozelle (Inner West rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Lilyfield and $1,548 in Rozelle. 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 Lilyfield and Rozelle?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,453 from Lilyfield and $1,105 from Rozelle to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $1,920 from Lilyfield and $1,920 from Rozelle.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lilyfield and Rozelle?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lilyfield costs a cumulative $84,282 and Rozelle costs $80,293 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,989 in favour of Rozelle. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lilyfield and Rozelle 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: Inner West rates (OLG and Inner West 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.