Bathurst vs South 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
Bathurst and South Bathurst are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 0.8 km and 2.7 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bathurst runs $398 a year cheaper than South Bathurst, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,563.
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 →Bathurst
South Bathurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bathurst | South Bathurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $514 | $912 | -$398 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $4,855 | $5,253 | -$398 |
| 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 | Bathurst | South 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 — Bathurst vs South Bathurst (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bathurst costs $398 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,563 in favour of Bathurst.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $398 per year. South Bathurst is 2.7 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 $398 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 Bathurst by $398 a year, $514 against $912.
- 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 5.6 in Bathurst against 4.4 in South Bathurst, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bathurst cumulative | South Bathurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $4,855 | $5,253 | $398 |
| Year 3 | $15,006 | $16,236 | $1,230 |
| Year 5 | $25,776 | $27,889 | $2,113 |
| Year 10 | $55,657 | $60,220 | $4,563 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bathurst or South Bathurst cheaper to live in?
Bathurst is cheaper to run by car at $4,855 per year versus $5,253 for South Bathurst, a difference of $398 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bathurst and South Bathurst?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Bathurst (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in South Bathurst (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Bathurst and $1,300 in South 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 Bathurst and South Bathurst?
Annual driving commute costs are $514 from Bathurst and $912 from South Bathurst to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bathurst and $2,400 from South Bathurst.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bathurst and South Bathurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bathurst costs a cumulative $55,657 and South Bathurst costs $60,220 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,563 in favour of Bathurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bathurst and South 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.