Bathampton vs Fitzgeralds Valley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Valley are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 171.6 km and 172.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fitzgeralds Valley runs $300 a year cheaper than Bathampton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,439.
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 →Bathampton
Fitzgeralds Valley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bathampton | Fitzgeralds Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,700 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,241 | $21,941 | +$300 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,041 | $6,741 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bathampton | Fitzgeralds Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; 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 Valley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fitzgeralds Valley costs $300 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,439 in favour of Fitzgeralds Valley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,041 from Bathampton versus $6,741 from Fitzgeralds Valley.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bathampton cumulative | Fitzgeralds Valley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,241 | $21,941 | $300 |
| Year 3 | $68,745 | $67,817 | $928 |
| Year 5 | $118,080 | $116,488 | $1,592 |
| Year 10 | $254,968 | $251,529 | $3,439 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bathampton or Fitzgeralds Valley cheaper to live in?
Fitzgeralds Valley is cheaper to run by car at $21,941 per year versus $22,241 for Bathampton, a difference of $300 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Valley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Bathampton (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Fitzgeralds Valley (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bathampton and $1,300 in Fitzgeralds Valley. 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 Valley?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bathampton and $17,600 from Fitzgeralds Valley to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bathampton and $2,400 from Fitzgeralds Valley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Valley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bathampton costs a cumulative $254,968 and Fitzgeralds Valley costs $251,529 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,439 in favour of Fitzgeralds Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bathampton and Fitzgeralds Valley 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.