Essington vs Twenty Forests: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Essington and Twenty Forests are both Oberon rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 35.7 km and 32.5 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $235 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Essington
Twenty Forests
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Essington | Twenty Forests | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,007 | $1,007 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,908 | $6,743 | +$165 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,400 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,215 | $11,450 | -$235 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,707 | $7,107 | -$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 | Essington | Twenty Forests | 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 — Essington vs Twenty Forests (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Essington and Twenty Forests cost within $235 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,694, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $6,707 from Essington versus $7,107 from Twenty Forests.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,007 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Twenty Forests by $165 a year, $6,743 against $6,908.
- Building insurance favours Essington 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 Twenty Forests against medium in Essington, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Essington cumulative | Twenty Forests cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,215 | $11,450 | $235 |
| Year 3 | $34,664 | $35,391 | $727 |
| Year 5 | $59,542 | $60,790 | $1,248 |
| Year 10 | $128,567 | $131,261 | $2,694 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Essington or Twenty Forests cheaper to live in?
Essington is cheaper to run by car at $11,215 per year versus $11,450 for Twenty Forests, a difference of $235 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Essington and Twenty Forests?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,007 in Essington (Oberon rates (OLG) and $1,007 in Twenty Forests (Oberon rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Essington and $1,300 in Twenty Forests. 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 Essington and Twenty Forests?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,908 from Essington and $6,743 from Twenty Forests to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Essington and $2,400 from Twenty Forests.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Essington and Twenty Forests?
At 3% annual cost growth, Essington costs a cumulative $128,567 and Twenty Forests costs $131,261 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,694 in favour of Essington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Essington and Twenty Forests 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: Oberon rates (OLG and Oberon 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.