Forest Grove vs Yarras, 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 Yarras are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.3 km and 10.1 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Forest Grove runs $485 a year cheaper than Yarras, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,560.
Over 10 years, Forest Grove costs about $5,600 less to run than Yarras. That's about $11 a week.
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Yarras
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Forest Grove | Yarras | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,599 | $3,084 | -$485 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,599 | $3,084 | -$485 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,790 | $7,275 | -$485 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,790 | $7,275 | -$485 |
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 | Yarras | 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 Yarras (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forest Grove costs $485 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,560 in favour of Forest Grove.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $485 per year. Yarras is 10.1 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $485 per year, $6,790 from Forest Grove versus $7,275 from Yarras.
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 Forest Grove by $485 a year, $2,599 against $3,084.
- 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 | Yarras cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,790 | $7,275 | $485 |
| Year 3 | $20,987 | $22,486 | $1,499 |
| Year 5 | $36,049 | $38,624 | $2,575 |
| Year 10 | $77,840 | $83,400 | $5,560 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Forest Grove or Yarras cheaper to live in?
Forest Grove is cheaper to run by car at $6,790 per year versus $7,275 for Yarras, a difference of $485 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 Yarras?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Forest Grove (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Yarras (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Forest Grove and $1,300 in Yarras. 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 Yarras?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,599 from Forest Grove and $3,084 from Yarras 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 Yarras?
At 3% annual cost growth, Forest Grove costs a cumulative $77,840 and Yarras costs $83,400 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,560 in favour of Forest Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Forest Grove and Yarras 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.