Fitzgeralds Valley vs Wimbledon: 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 Valley and Wimbledon are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 20.5 km and 17.9 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wimbledon runs $473 a year cheaper than Fitzgeralds Valley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,422.
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 →Fitzgeralds Valley
Wimbledon
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fitzgeralds Valley | Wimbledon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,328 | $4,855 | +$473 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,669 | $9,196 | +$473 |
| 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 | Fitzgeralds Valley | Wimbledon | 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 Valley vs Wimbledon (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wimbledon costs $473 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,422 in favour of Wimbledon.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $473 per year. Fitzgeralds Valley is 20.5 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 $473 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 Wimbledon by $473 a year, $4,855 against $5,328.
- 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 6.3 in Wimbledon against 4.2 in Fitzgeralds Valley, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fitzgeralds Valley cumulative | Wimbledon cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,669 | $9,196 | $473 |
| Year 3 | $29,886 | $28,424 | $1,462 |
| Year 5 | $51,334 | $48,823 | $2,511 |
| Year 10 | $110,844 | $105,422 | $5,422 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fitzgeralds Valley or Wimbledon cheaper to live in?
Wimbledon is cheaper to run by car at $9,196 per year versus $9,669 for Fitzgeralds Valley, a difference of $473 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fitzgeralds Valley and Wimbledon?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Fitzgeralds Valley (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Wimbledon (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fitzgeralds Valley and $1,300 in Wimbledon. 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 Valley and Wimbledon?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,328 from Fitzgeralds Valley and $4,855 from Wimbledon to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Fitzgeralds Valley and $2,400 from Wimbledon.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fitzgeralds Valley and Wimbledon?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fitzgeralds Valley costs a cumulative $110,844 and Wimbledon costs $105,422 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,422 in favour of Wimbledon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fitzgeralds Valley and Wimbledon 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.