Gormans Hill vs Kelso, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gormans Hill and Kelso are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.3 km and 2.2 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kelso runs $358 a year cheaper than Gormans Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,104.
Over 10 years, Kelso costs about $4,100 less to run than Gormans Hill. That's about $8 a week.
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Kelso
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gormans Hill | Kelso | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,106 | $748 | +$358 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,106 | $748 | +$358 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,297 | $4,939 | +$358 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,297 | $4,939 | +$358 |
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 | Gormans Hill | Kelso | 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, Gormans Hill vs Kelso (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kelso costs $358 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,104 in favour of Kelso.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $358 per year. Gormans Hill is 3.3 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $358 per year, $5,297 from Gormans Hill versus $4,939 from Kelso.
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 Kelso by $358 a year, $748 against $1,106.
- 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.
The catchment state school scores 4.4 in Gormans Hill against 2.5 in Kelso, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Gormans Hill cumulative | Kelso cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,297 | $4,939 | $358 |
| Year 3 | $16,372 | $15,266 | $1,106 |
| Year 5 | $28,122 | $26,222 | $1,900 |
| Year 10 | $60,724 | $56,620 | $4,104 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gormans Hill or Kelso cheaper to live in?
Kelso is cheaper to run by car at $4,939 per year versus $5,297 for Gormans Hill, a difference of $358 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gormans Hill and Kelso?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Gormans Hill (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Kelso (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Gormans Hill and $1,300 in Kelso. 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 Gormans Hill and Kelso?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,106 from Gormans Hill and $748 from Kelso 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 Gormans Hill and Kelso?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gormans Hill costs a cumulative $60,724 and Kelso costs $56,620 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,104 in favour of Kelso. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gormans Hill and Kelso 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.