Forest Grove vs Raglan, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Forest Grove and Raglan are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.3 km and 6 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Raglan runs $660 a year cheaper than Forest Grove, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,566.
Over 10 years, Raglan costs about $7,600 less to run than Forest Grove. That's about $15 a week.
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Raglan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forest Grove | Raglan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,599 | $1,939 | +$660 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,599 | $1,939 | +$660 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,790 | $6,130 | +$660 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,790 | $6,130 | +$660 |
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 | Forest Grove | Raglan | 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, Forest Grove vs Raglan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Raglan costs $660 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,566 in favour of Raglan.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $660 per year. Forest Grove is 8.3 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $660 per year, $6,790 from Forest Grove versus $6,130 from Raglan.
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 Raglan by $660 a year, $1,939 against $2,599.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,550 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 | Forest Grove cumulative | Raglan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,790 | $6,130 | $660 |
| Year 3 | $20,987 | $18,947 | $2,040 |
| Year 5 | $36,049 | $32,545 | $3,504 |
| Year 10 | $77,840 | $70,274 | $7,566 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forest Grove or Raglan cheaper to live in?
Raglan is cheaper to run by car at $6,130 per year versus $6,790 for Forest Grove, a difference of $660 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Forest Grove and Raglan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Forest Grove (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Raglan (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Forest Grove and $1,300 in Raglan. 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 Forest Grove and Raglan?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,599 from Forest Grove and $1,939 from Raglan 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 Forest Grove and Raglan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Forest Grove costs a cumulative $77,840 and Raglan costs $70,274 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,566 in favour of Raglan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forest Grove and Raglan suits you better?
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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.