Lismore vs South Lismore: 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 South Lismore are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 596.5 km and 595.1 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lismore runs $300 a year cheaper than South Lismore, 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 →Lismore
South Lismore
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lismore | South Lismore | 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 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,234 | $23,534 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $8,334 | -$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 | Lismore | South Lismore | 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 South Lismore (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lismore 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 Lismore.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. South Lismore carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,034 from Lismore versus $8,334 from South Lismore.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lismore cumulative | South Lismore cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,234 | $23,534 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $71,814 | $72,741 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $123,352 | $124,945 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $266,352 | $269,791 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lismore or South Lismore cheaper to live in?
Lismore is cheaper to run by car at $23,234 per year versus $23,534 for South Lismore, 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 Lismore and South Lismore?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Lismore (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in South Lismore (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lismore and $1,300 in South Lismore. 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 South Lismore?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lismore and $17,600 from South Lismore to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lismore and $2,400 from South Lismore.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lismore and South Lismore?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lismore costs a cumulative $266,352 and South Lismore costs $269,791 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Lismore. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lismore and South Lismore 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.