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 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 →Gormans Hill
Kelso
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gormans Hill | Kelso | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,106 | $748 | +$358 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,447 | $5,089 | +$358 |
| 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 | 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,741 and $6,741 a year, so the $358 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 Kelso by $358 a year, $748 against $1,106.
- 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 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 | $5,447 | $5,089 | $358 |
| Year 3 | $16,836 | $15,730 | $1,106 |
| Year 5 | $28,919 | $27,018 | $1,901 |
| Year 10 | $62,444 | $58,340 | $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 $5,089 per year versus $5,447 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). Public transport costs $2,400 from Gormans Hill and $2,400 from Kelso.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Gormans Hill and Kelso?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gormans Hill costs a cumulative $62,444 and Kelso costs $58,340 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 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.