Abercrombie vs West Bathurst: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Abercrombie and West Bathurst are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4 km and 2.3 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
West Bathurst runs $547 a year cheaper than Abercrombie, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,271.
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 →Abercrombie
West Bathurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Abercrombie | West Bathurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,328 | $781 | +$547 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,669 | $5,122 | +$547 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,741 | $6,741 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Abercrombie | West Bathurst | 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 — Abercrombie vs West Bathurst (2026-27)
What the numbers show
West Bathurst costs $547 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,271 in favour of West Bathurst.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $547 per year. Abercrombie is 4 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,741 and $6,741 a year, so the $547 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,341 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours West Bathurst by $547 a year, $781 against $1,328.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,700 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.7 in Abercrombie against 4.2 in West Bathurst, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Abercrombie cumulative | West Bathurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,669 | $5,122 | $547 |
| Year 3 | $17,522 | $15,832 | $1,690 |
| Year 5 | $30,097 | $27,193 | $2,904 |
| Year 10 | $64,989 | $58,718 | $6,271 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Abercrombie or West Bathurst cheaper to live in?
West Bathurst is cheaper to run by car at $5,122 per year versus $5,669 for Abercrombie, a difference of $547 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Abercrombie and West Bathurst?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Abercrombie (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in West Bathurst (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Abercrombie and $1,300 in West Bathurst. 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 Abercrombie and West Bathurst?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,328 from Abercrombie and $781 from West Bathurst to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Abercrombie and $2,400 from West Bathurst.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Abercrombie and West Bathurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Abercrombie costs a cumulative $64,989 and West Bathurst costs $58,718 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,271 in favour of West Bathurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Abercrombie and West Bathurst 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: Bathurst Regional rates (OLG and Bathurst Regional 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.