Mount Olive vs Sodwalls: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Olive (Oberon rates (OLG) and Sodwalls (Lithgow rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Bathurst CBD (40.1 km and 41.6 km).
The two sit within $168 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 →Mount Olive
Sodwalls
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Olive | Sodwalls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,007 | $1,186 | -$179 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,989 | $6,978 | +$11 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,296 | $11,464 | -$168 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,707 | $6,886 | -$179 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Olive | Sodwalls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $2,857 | +$400 |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,312 | +$379 |
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 — Mount Olive vs Sodwalls (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Olive and Sodwalls cost within $168 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,926, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $179 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,707 and $6,886 a year, so the $168 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Mount Olive by $179 a year, $1,007 against $1,186.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Sodwalls by $11 a year, $6,978 against $6,989.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,000 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Olive cumulative | Sodwalls cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,296 | $11,464 | $168 |
| Year 3 | $34,915 | $35,434 | $519 |
| Year 5 | $59,972 | $60,864 | $892 |
| Year 10 | $129,496 | $131,422 | $1,926 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Olive or Sodwalls cheaper to live in?
Mount Olive is cheaper to run by car at $11,296 per year versus $11,464 for Sodwalls, a difference of $168 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Olive and Sodwalls?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,007 in Mount Olive (Oberon rates (OLG) and $1,186 in Sodwalls (Lithgow rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mount Olive and $1,300 in Sodwalls. 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 Mount Olive and Sodwalls?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,989 from Mount Olive and $6,978 from Sodwalls to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Olive and $2,400 from Sodwalls.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Olive and Sodwalls?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Olive costs a cumulative $129,496 and Sodwalls costs $131,422 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,926 in favour of Mount Olive. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Olive and Sodwalls 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: Oberon rates (OLG and Lithgow 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.