Locksley vs Wambool: 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 and Wambool are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23 km and 20.4 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wambool runs $815 a year cheaper than Locksley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,343.
Over 10 years, Wambool costs about $9,300 less to run than Locksley — the same as paying $9,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Wambool
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Locksley | Wambool | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,726 | $5,311 | +$415 |
| 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 | $9,952 | +$815 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,441 | $7,041 | +$400 |
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 | Wambool | 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 Wambool (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wambool costs $815 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,343 in favour of Wambool.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $415 per year. Locksley is 23 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,441 from Locksley versus $7,041 from Wambool.
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 Wambool by $415 a year, $5,311 against $5,726.
- Building insurance favours Wambool by $400 a year, $2,000 against $2,400.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated high in Locksley against medium in Wambool, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Locksley cumulative | Wambool cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,767 | $9,952 | $815 |
| Year 3 | $33,280 | $30,761 | $2,519 |
| Year 5 | $57,163 | $52,837 | $4,326 |
| Year 10 | $123,432 | $114,089 | $9,343 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Locksley or Wambool cheaper to live in?
Wambool is cheaper to run by car at $9,952 per year versus $10,767 for Locksley, a difference of $815 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Locksley and Wambool?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Locksley (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Wambool (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Locksley and $1,300 in Wambool. 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 Wambool?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,726 from Locksley and $5,311 from Wambool to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Locksley and $2,400 from Wambool.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Locksley and Wambool?
At 3% annual cost growth, Locksley costs a cumulative $123,432 and Wambool costs $114,089 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,343 in favour of Wambool. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Locksley and Wambool 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.