Loftville vs Monaltrie: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Loftville and Monaltrie are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 592.5 km and 591.5 km from Sydney CBD respectively, 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) | $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 | Loftville | Monaltrie | 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 — 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Loftville cumulative | Monaltrie 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 Loftville or Monaltrie cheaper to live in?
Loftville is cheaper to run by car at $23,234 per year versus $23,534 for Monaltrie, 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 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?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Loftville and $17,600 from Monaltrie to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). 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 $266,352 and Monaltrie costs $269,791 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.
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.