Locksley vs O'Connell: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Locksley (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and O'Connell (Oberon rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Bathurst CBD (23 km and 21.1 km).
O'Connell runs $1,031 a year cheaper than Locksley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,820.
Over 10 years, O'Connell costs about $11,800 less to run than Locksley — the same as paying $11,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Locksley
O'Connell
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Locksley | O'Connell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,007 | +$334 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,726 | $5,429 | +$297 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,000 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,767 | $9,736 | +$1,031 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,441 | $6,707 | +$734 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Locksley | O'Connell | 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 — Locksley vs O'Connell (2026-27)
What the numbers show
O'Connell costs $1,031 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,820 in favour of O'Connell.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $734 per year, $7,441 from Locksley versus $6,707 from O'Connell.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours O'Connell by $334 a year, $1,007 against $1,341.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours O'Connell by $297 a year, $5,429 against $5,726.
- Building insurance favours O'Connell by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated high in Locksley against medium in O'Connell, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Locksley cumulative | O'Connell cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,767 | $9,736 | $1,031 |
| Year 3 | $33,280 | $30,093 | $3,187 |
| Year 5 | $57,163 | $51,690 | $5,473 |
| Year 10 | $123,432 | $111,612 | $11,820 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Locksley or O'Connell cheaper to live in?
O'Connell is cheaper to run by car at $9,736 per year versus $10,767 for Locksley, a difference of $1,031 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Locksley and O'Connell?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Locksley (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,007 in O'Connell (Oberon rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Locksley and $1,300 in O'Connell. 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 Locksley and O'Connell?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,726 from Locksley and $5,429 from O'Connell to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Locksley and $2,400 from O'Connell.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Locksley and O'Connell?
At 3% annual cost growth, Locksley costs a cumulative $123,432 and O'Connell costs $111,612 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,820 in favour of O'Connell. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Locksley and O'Connell is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Bathurst Regional rates (OLG and Oberon 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.