Freemantle vs Milkers Flat, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Freemantle and Milkers Flat are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $166 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, Milkers Flat costs about $1,900 less to run than Freemantle. That's about $4 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Freemantle
Milkers Flat
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Freemantle | Milkers Flat | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,966 | $5,800 | +$166 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,966 | $5,800 | +$166 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,457 | $10,291 | +$166 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,457 | $10,291 | +$166 |
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 | Freemantle | Milkers Flat | 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, Freemantle vs Milkers Flat (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Freemantle and Milkers Flat cost within $166 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,903, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $166 per year. Freemantle is 24.7 km from Orange CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $10,457 and $10,291 a year, so the $166 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 Milkers Flat by $166 a year, $5,800 against $5,966.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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 | Freemantle cumulative | Milkers Flat cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,457 | $10,291 | $166 |
| Year 3 | $32,322 | $31,808 | $514 |
| Year 5 | $55,518 | $54,636 | $882 |
| Year 10 | $119,878 | $117,975 | $1,903 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Freemantle or Milkers Flat cheaper to live in?
Milkers Flat is cheaper to run by car at $10,291 per year versus $10,457 for Freemantle, a difference of $166 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Freemantle and Milkers Flat?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Freemantle (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Milkers Flat (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Freemantle and $1,300 in Milkers Flat. 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 Freemantle and Milkers Flat?
Freemantle is $5,966 a year to drive to Orange CBD (ATO 91c/km). Milkers Flat is $5,800 a year to drive 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 Freemantle and Milkers Flat?
At 3% annual cost growth, Freemantle costs a cumulative $119,878 and Milkers Flat costs $117,975 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,903 in favour of Milkers Flat. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Freemantle and Milkers Flat 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.