Lynwood vs Uralba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lynwood and Uralba are both Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in suburbs, sitting 595.8 km and 596.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lynwood runs $1,100 a year cheaper than Uralba, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,610.
Over 10 years, Lynwood costs about $12,600 less to run than Uralba — the same as paying $12,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Uralba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lynwood | Uralba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,384 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $3,100 | -$1,100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,284 | $23,384 | -$1,100 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,084 | $8,184 | -$1,100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lynwood | Uralba | 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 — Lynwood vs Uralba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lynwood costs $1,100 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,610 in favour of Lynwood.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,100 per year. Uralba carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,100 per year, $7,084 from Lynwood versus $8,184 from Uralba.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lynwood cumulative | Uralba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,284 | $23,384 | $1,100 |
| Year 3 | $68,878 | $72,278 | $3,400 |
| Year 5 | $118,309 | $124,149 | $5,840 |
| Year 10 | $255,461 | $268,071 | $12,610 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lynwood or Uralba cheaper to live in?
Lynwood is cheaper to run by car at $22,284 per year versus $23,384 for Uralba, a difference of $1,100 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lynwood and Uralba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Lynwood (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,384 in Uralba (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Lynwood and $1,300 in Uralba. 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 Lynwood and Uralba?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lynwood and $17,600 from Uralba to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lynwood and $2,400 from Uralba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lynwood and Uralba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lynwood costs a cumulative $255,461 and Uralba costs $268,071 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,610 in favour of Lynwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lynwood and Uralba 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: Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in and Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in 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.