Bagotville vs Kilgin: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bagotville (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and Kilgin (Lismore rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
Bagotville runs $400 a year cheaper than Kilgin, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,585.
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 →Bagotville
Kilgin
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bagotville | Kilgin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,384 | $1,534 | -$150 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,734 | $24,134 | -$400 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,934 | $8,334 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bagotville | Kilgin | 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 — Bagotville vs Kilgin (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bagotville costs $400 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,585 in favour of Bagotville.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Kilgin carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,934 from Bagotville versus $8,334 from Kilgin.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bagotville by $150 a year, $1,384 against $1,534.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Bagotville by $250 a year, $2,850 against $3,100.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated high in Kilgin against medium in Bagotville, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Bagotville against medium in Kilgin, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bagotville cumulative | Kilgin cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,734 | $24,134 | $400 |
| Year 3 | $73,359 | $74,596 | $1,237 |
| Year 5 | $126,007 | $128,131 | $2,124 |
| Year 10 | $272,084 | $276,669 | $4,585 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bagotville or Kilgin cheaper to live in?
Bagotville is cheaper to run by car at $23,734 per year versus $24,134 for Kilgin, a difference of $400 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bagotville and Kilgin?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,384 in Bagotville (Ballina Shire Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 6% in) and $1,534 in Kilgin (Lismore rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bagotville and $1,300 in Kilgin. 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 Bagotville and Kilgin?
Bagotville 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. Kilgin 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 Bagotville and $2,400 from Kilgin.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bagotville and Kilgin?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bagotville costs a cumulative $272,084 and Kilgin costs $276,669 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,585 in favour of Bagotville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bagotville and Kilgin 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 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.