Modanville vs Numulgi: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Modanville and Numulgi are both Lismore rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Modanville runs $450 a year cheaper than Numulgi, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,159.
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 →Modanville
Numulgi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Modanville | Numulgi | 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 | $2,000 | $2,450 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,034 | $23,484 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,684 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Modanville | Numulgi | 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 — Modanville vs Numulgi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Modanville costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,159 in favour of Modanville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Numulgi carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,234 from Modanville versus $7,684 from Numulgi.
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 Modanville by $450 a year, $2,000 against $2,450.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Numulgi against low in Modanville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Modanville cumulative | Numulgi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,034 | $23,484 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $71,196 | $72,587 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $122,291 | $124,680 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $264,059 | $269,218 | $5,159 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Modanville or Numulgi cheaper to live in?
Modanville is cheaper to run by car at $23,034 per year versus $23,484 for Numulgi, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Modanville and Numulgi?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,534 in Modanville (Lismore rates (OLG) and $1,534 in Numulgi (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Modanville and $1,300 in Numulgi. 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 Modanville and Numulgi?
Modanville 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. Numulgi 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 Modanville and $2,400 from Numulgi.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Modanville and Numulgi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Modanville costs a cumulative $264,059 and Numulgi costs $269,218 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,159 in favour of Modanville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Modanville and Numulgi 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.