Laffing Waters 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
Laffing Waters and Yarras are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.4 km and 10.1 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Laffing Waters runs $457 a year cheaper than Yarras, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,239.
Over 10 years, Laffing Waters costs about $5,200 less to run than Yarras. That's about $10 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 →Laffing Waters
Yarras
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Laffing Waters | Yarras | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,627 | $3,084 | -$457 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,627 | $3,084 | -$457 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,818 | $7,275 | -$457 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,818 | $7,275 | -$457 |
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 | Laffing Waters | 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, Laffing Waters vs Yarras (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Laffing Waters costs $457 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,239 in favour of Laffing Waters.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $457 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 $457 per year, $6,818 from Laffing Waters 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 Laffing Waters by $457 a year, $2,627 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.5 in Yarras against 2.5 in Laffing Waters, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Laffing Waters cumulative | Yarras cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,818 | $7,275 | $457 |
| Year 3 | $21,074 | $22,486 | $1,412 |
| Year 5 | $36,198 | $38,624 | $2,426 |
| Year 10 | $78,161 | $83,400 | $5,239 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Laffing Waters or Yarras cheaper to live in?
Laffing Waters is cheaper to run by car at $6,818 per year versus $7,275 for Yarras, a difference of $457 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Laffing Waters and Yarras?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Laffing Waters (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Yarras (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Laffing Waters 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 Laffing Waters and Yarras?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,627 from Laffing Waters 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 Laffing Waters and Yarras?
At 3% annual cost growth, Laffing Waters costs a cumulative $78,161 and Yarras costs $83,400 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,239 in favour of Laffing Waters. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Laffing Waters and Yarras suits you better?
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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.