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True annual cost of living in Lismore Heights, NSW 2480

Living in a house in Lismore Heights costs about $23,184 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Lismore Heights sits more than 100 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Unit costs come in at $23,024, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 body corporate levy. Driving is costed as a flat regional allowance of $18,200, about 20,000km of household driving a year, because a daily CBD commute is not realistic from here.

Last updated July 2026 · Lismore Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Running costs sit near the Lismore average, cheaper than 76% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $18,200, roughly 79% of the annual total.
The nearest state school scores 5.3/10 (ACARA ICSEA), around average for New South Wales.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$23,184
Driving · per year
$1,932/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$23,024
Incl. body corporate
$1,919/month
House vs unit difference
−$160
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Lismore rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg) · average rate
$1,534
Water & sewerage
Regional NSW estimate
$1,300
Driving commute
Regional driving allowance · ATO 91c/km · 20,000km a year
$18,200
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Medium · fire Low
$2,150
Total annual running cost
$23,184
($1,932/month)
Near Lismore average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.7/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 76% of Lismore suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,774/yr
5,086 kWh
Unit
$2,329/yr
3,815 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Lismore Heights's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Lismore Heights

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Lismore Transit Centre, 2,337 m away, about a 29 minute walk. It is a bus stop.
Nearest hospital
Lismore Base Hospital, 855 m away, about an 11 minute walk.
Supermarkets
3
Cafes
7
Parks
8
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

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Frequently asked questions about Lismore Heights

How is driving costed for Lismore Heights?

Lismore Heights is more than 100 kilometres from Sydney CBD, so a daily commute is not assumed. Driving is costed as a flat regional allowance of $18,200 a year, about 20,000km of household driving at the ATO rate of 91c/km. Add your own workplace in the free report to cost the real drive.

What are the council rates in Lismore Heights?

Lismore Heights falls under Lismore Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,534 per year for an owner-occupied house, based on OLG data uplifted by the council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,534 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Lismore Heights?

Running a unit in Lismore Heights costs approximately $23,024 per year by car or $7,224 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,534, water and sewerage $1,300, estimated body corporate levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $490. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Lismore Heights close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Lismore Heights is Lismore Transit Centre, a bus stop about 2,337 m away, about a 29 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Lismore Heights?

The closest hospital to the centre of Lismore Heights is Lismore Base Hospital, about 855 m away, about an 11 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Lismore Heights?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Lismore Heights there are 3 supermarkets, 7 cafes and 8 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Lismore rates (OLG 2024-25 + IPART 2026-27 peg). Water: Regional NSW estimate. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Fire: NSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land. Flood: modelled from 30m elevation (topographic). Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.