Billywillinga vs Watton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Billywillinga and Watton are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 17.3 km and 19.6 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Billywillinga runs $433 a year cheaper than Watton, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,964.
Over 10 years, Billywillinga costs about $5,000 less to run than Watton. That's about $10 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Billywillinga
Watton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Billywillinga | Watton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,738 | $5,171 | -$433 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,738 | $5,171 | -$433 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,579 | $10,012 | -$433 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,579 | $10,012 | -$433 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Billywillinga | Watton | 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, Billywillinga vs Watton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Billywillinga costs $433 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,964 in favour of Billywillinga.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $433 per year. Watton is 19.6 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $433 per year, $9,579 from Billywillinga versus $10,012 from Watton.
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 Billywillinga by $433 a year, $4,738 against $5,171.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,200 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Billywillinga cumulative | Watton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,579 | $10,012 | $433 |
| Year 3 | $29,608 | $30,946 | $1,338 |
| Year 5 | $50,856 | $53,155 | $2,299 |
| Year 10 | $109,812 | $114,776 | $4,964 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Billywillinga or Watton cheaper to live in?
Billywillinga is cheaper to run by car at $9,579 per year versus $10,012 for Watton, a difference of $433 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Billywillinga and Watton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Billywillinga (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Watton (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Billywillinga and $1,300 in Watton. 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 Billywillinga and Watton?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,738 from Billywillinga and $5,171 from Watton to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Billywillinga and Watton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Billywillinga costs a cumulative $109,812 and Watton costs $114,776 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,964 in favour of Billywillinga. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Billywillinga and Watton suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.