Lucknow vs Shadforth, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lucknow and Shadforth are both Orange rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.5 km and 13.3 km from Orange CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lucknow runs $1,220 a year cheaper than Shadforth, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,986.
Over 10 years, Lucknow costs about $14,000 less to run than Shadforth. That's about $27 a week.
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Shadforth
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lucknow | Shadforth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,718 | $1,718 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,655 | $3,875 | -$1,220 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,655 | $3,875 | -$1,220 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,523 | $8,743 | -$1,220 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,523 | $8,743 | -$1,220 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lucknow | Shadforth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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, Lucknow vs Shadforth (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lucknow costs $1,220 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,986 in favour of Lucknow.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,220 per year. Shadforth is 13.3 km from Orange CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $1,220 per year, $7,523 from Lucknow versus $8,743 from Shadforth.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,718 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lucknow by $1,220 a year, $2,655 against $3,875.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
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 commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lucknow cumulative | Shadforth cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,523 | $8,743 | $1,220 |
| Year 3 | $23,253 | $27,024 | $3,771 |
| Year 5 | $39,941 | $46,418 | $6,477 |
| Year 10 | $86,243 | $100,229 | $13,986 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lucknow or Shadforth cheaper to live in?
Lucknow is cheaper to run by car at $7,523 per year versus $8,743 for Shadforth, a difference of $1,220 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lucknow and Shadforth?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,718 in Lucknow (Orange rates (OLG) and $1,718 in Shadforth (Orange rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lucknow and $1,300 in Shadforth. 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 Lucknow and Shadforth?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,655 from Lucknow and $3,875 from Shadforth to Orange CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lucknow and Shadforth?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lucknow costs a cumulative $86,243 and Shadforth costs $100,229 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,986 in favour of Lucknow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lucknow and Shadforth suits you better?
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Sources: Orange rates (OLG and Orange rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.