Bathampton vs Fitzgeralds Mount: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Mount are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 18.1 km and 20.8 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bathampton runs $885 a year cheaper than Fitzgeralds Mount, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,146.
Over 10 years, Bathampton costs about $10,100 less to run than Fitzgeralds Mount — the same as paying $10,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bathampton
Fitzgeralds Mount
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bathampton | Fitzgeralds Mount | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,894 | $5,379 | -$485 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,535 | $10,420 | -$885 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $7,441 | -$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 | Bathampton | Fitzgeralds Mount | 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 — Bathampton vs Fitzgeralds Mount (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bathampton costs $885 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,146 in favour of Bathampton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $485 per year. Fitzgeralds Mount is 20.8 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,041 from Bathampton versus $7,441 from Fitzgeralds Mount.
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 Bathampton by $485 a year, $4,894 against $5,379.
- Building insurance favours Bathampton by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Fitzgeralds Mount against medium in Bathampton, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 6.3 in Bathampton against 4.2 in Fitzgeralds Mount, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bathampton cumulative | Fitzgeralds Mount cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,535 | $10,420 | $885 |
| Year 3 | $29,472 | $32,207 | $2,735 |
| Year 5 | $50,623 | $55,321 | $4,698 |
| Year 10 | $109,308 | $119,454 | $10,146 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bathampton or Fitzgeralds Mount cheaper to live in?
Bathampton is cheaper to run by car at $9,535 per year versus $10,420 for Fitzgeralds Mount, a difference of $885 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Mount?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Bathampton (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Fitzgeralds Mount (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bathampton and $1,300 in Fitzgeralds Mount. 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 Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Mount?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,894 from Bathampton and $5,379 from Fitzgeralds Mount to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bathampton and $2,400 from Fitzgeralds Mount.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Mount?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bathampton costs a cumulative $109,308 and Fitzgeralds Mount costs $119,454 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,146 in favour of Bathampton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Mount 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.