Kelso vs South Bathurst: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kelso and South Bathurst are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 2.2 km and 2.7 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $164 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 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 →Kelso
South Bathurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kelso | South Bathurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $748 | $912 | -$164 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,089 | $5,253 | -$164 |
| 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 | Kelso | South Bathurst | 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 — Kelso vs South Bathurst (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kelso and South Bathurst cost within $164 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,880, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $164 per year. South Bathurst is 2.7 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 $164 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 $164 a year, $748 against $912.
- 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 South Bathurst against 2.5 in Kelso, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kelso cumulative | South Bathurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,089 | $5,253 | $164 |
| Year 3 | $15,730 | $16,236 | $506 |
| Year 5 | $27,018 | $27,889 | $871 |
| Year 10 | $58,340 | $60,220 | $1,880 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kelso or South Bathurst cheaper to live in?
Kelso is cheaper to run by car at $5,089 per year versus $5,253 for South Bathurst, a difference of $164 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kelso and South Bathurst?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Kelso (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in South Bathurst (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Kelso and $1,300 in South Bathurst. 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 Kelso and South Bathurst?
Annual driving commute costs are $748 from Kelso and $912 from South Bathurst to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Kelso and $2,400 from South Bathurst.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kelso and South Bathurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kelso costs a cumulative $58,340 and South Bathurst costs $60,220 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,880 in favour of Kelso. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kelso and South Bathurst 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.