Lismore vs Lismore Heights: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lismore and Lismore Heights are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 596.5 km and 597 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lismore Heights runs $650 a year cheaper than Lismore, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,452.
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 →Lismore
Lismore Heights
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lismore | Lismore Heights | 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 | $2,800 | $2,150 | +$650 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,234 | $22,584 | +$650 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $7,384 | +$650 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lismore | Lismore Heights | 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 — Lismore vs Lismore Heights (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lismore Heights costs $650 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,452 in favour of Lismore Heights.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $650 per year. Lismore carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $650 per year, $8,034 from Lismore versus $7,384 from Lismore Heights.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lismore cumulative | Lismore Heights cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,234 | $22,584 | $650 |
| Year 3 | $71,814 | $69,805 | $2,009 |
| Year 5 | $123,352 | $119,902 | $3,450 |
| Year 10 | $266,352 | $258,900 | $7,452 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lismore or Lismore Heights cheaper to live in?
Lismore Heights is cheaper to run by car at $22,584 per year versus $23,234 for Lismore, a difference of $650 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lismore and Lismore Heights?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Lismore (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Lismore Heights (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lismore and $1,300 in Lismore Heights. 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 Lismore and Lismore Heights?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lismore and $17,600 from Lismore Heights to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lismore and $2,400 from Lismore Heights.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lismore and Lismore Heights?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lismore costs a cumulative $266,352 and Lismore Heights costs $258,900 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,452 in favour of Lismore Heights. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lismore and Lismore Heights 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.