Lindendale vs Tregeagle: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lindendale and Tregeagle are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 597 km and 594.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lindendale runs $300 a year cheaper than Tregeagle, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Lindendale
Tregeagle
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lindendale | Tregeagle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,534 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,000 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,134 | $22,434 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,934 | $7,234 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lindendale | Tregeagle | 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 — Lindendale vs Tregeagle (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lindendale costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Lindendale.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,934 from Lindendale versus $7,234 from Tregeagle.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lindendale cumulative | Tregeagle cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,134 | $22,434 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $68,414 | $69,341 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $117,512 | $119,105 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $253,742 | $257,181 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lindendale or Tregeagle cheaper to live in?
Lindendale is cheaper to run by car at $22,134 per year versus $22,434 for Tregeagle, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lindendale and Tregeagle?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Lindendale (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Tregeagle (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lindendale and $1,300 in Tregeagle. 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 Lindendale and Tregeagle?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lindendale and $17,600 from Tregeagle to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lindendale and $2,400 from Tregeagle.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lindendale and Tregeagle?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lindendale costs a cumulative $253,742 and Tregeagle costs $257,181 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Lindendale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lindendale and Tregeagle 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Lismore rates (OLG and Lismore 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.