Loftville vs Monaltrie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Loftville and Monaltrie are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Loftville runs $300 a year cheaper than Monaltrie, 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 →Loftville
Monaltrie
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Loftville | Monaltrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,534 | $1,534 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,834 | $24,134 | -$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,034 | $8,334 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Loftville | Monaltrie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Loftville vs Monaltrie (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Loftville 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 Loftville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Monaltrie carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,034 from Loftville versus $8,334 from Monaltrie.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,534 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Loftville by $300 a year, $2,800 against $3,100.
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 the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Monaltrie against low in Loftville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Loftville cumulative | Monaltrie cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,834 | $24,134 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $73,669 | $74,596 | $927 |
| Year 5 | $126,538 | $128,131 | $1,593 |
| Year 10 | $273,230 | $276,669 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Loftville or Monaltrie cheaper to live in?
Loftville is cheaper to run by car at $23,834 per year versus $24,134 for Monaltrie, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Loftville and Monaltrie?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Loftville (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Monaltrie (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Loftville and $1,300 in Monaltrie. 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 Loftville and Monaltrie?
Loftville carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Monaltrie carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Loftville and $2,400 from Monaltrie.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Loftville and Monaltrie?
At 3% annual cost growth, Loftville costs a cumulative $273,230 and Monaltrie costs $276,669 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Loftville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Loftville and Monaltrie 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: Lismore rates (OLG and Lismore 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.