Fitzgeralds Mount vs Kings Plains, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fitzgeralds Mount (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and Kings Plains (Blayney rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Bathurst CBD (20.8 km and 24 km).
The two sit within $230 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 the gap between these two is about $2,600, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Kings Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fitzgeralds Mount | Kings Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $969 | +$372 |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,379 | $5,871 | -$492 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,379 | $5,871 | -$492 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $1,850 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,220 | $9,990 | +$230 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,220 | $9,990 | +$230 |
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 | Fitzgeralds Mount | Kings Plains | 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, Fitzgeralds Mount vs Kings Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fitzgeralds Mount and Kings Plains differ by $230 a year by car, but $350 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $120, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $492 per year. Kings Plains is 24 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $230 per year, $10,220 from Fitzgeralds Mount versus $9,990 from Kings Plains.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Kings Plains by $372 a year, $969 against $1,341.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Fitzgeralds Mount by $492 a year, $5,379 against $5,871.
- Building insurance favours Kings Plains by $350 a year, $1,850 against $2,200.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Fitzgeralds Mount against medium in Kings Plains, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fitzgeralds Mount cumulative | Kings Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,220 | $9,990 | $230 |
| Year 3 | $31,589 | $30,878 | $711 |
| Year 5 | $54,259 | $53,038 | $1,221 |
| Year 10 | $117,161 | $114,524 | $2,637 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fitzgeralds Mount or Kings Plains cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Fitzgeralds Mount runs $10,220 a year by car and Kings Plains $9,990, but most of the $230 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $120. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fitzgeralds Mount and Kings Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Fitzgeralds Mount (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $969 in Kings Plains (Blayney rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fitzgeralds Mount and $1,300 in Kings Plains. 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 Fitzgeralds Mount and Kings Plains?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,379 from Fitzgeralds Mount and $5,871 from Kings Plains 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 Fitzgeralds Mount and Kings Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fitzgeralds Mount costs a cumulative $117,161 and Kings Plains costs $114,524 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,637 in favour of Kings Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fitzgeralds Mount and Kings Plains suits you better?
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Sources: Bathurst Regional rates (OLG and Blayney 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.