Mount Panorama vs Orton Park: 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 Panorama and Orton Park are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 3.9 km and 5 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mount Panorama runs $342 a year cheaper than Orton Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,921.
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 Panorama
Orton Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Panorama | Orton Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,296 | $1,638 | -$342 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,637 | $5,979 | -$342 |
| 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 | Mount Panorama | Orton Park | 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 — Mount Panorama vs Orton Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Panorama costs $342 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,921 in favour of Mount Panorama.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $342 per year. Orton Park is 5 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 $342 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 Mount Panorama by $342 a year, $1,296 against $1,638.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Panorama cumulative | Orton Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,637 | $5,979 | $342 |
| Year 3 | $17,423 | $18,480 | $1,057 |
| Year 5 | $29,928 | $31,743 | $1,815 |
| Year 10 | $64,622 | $68,543 | $3,921 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Panorama or Orton Park cheaper to live in?
Mount Panorama is cheaper to run by car at $5,637 per year versus $5,979 for Orton Park, a difference of $342 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Panorama and Orton Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Mount Panorama (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Orton Park (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Mount Panorama and $1,300 in Orton Park. 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 Panorama and Orton Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,296 from Mount Panorama and $1,638 from Orton Park to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Panorama and $2,400 from Orton Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Panorama and Orton Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Panorama costs a cumulative $64,622 and Orton Park costs $68,543 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,921 in favour of Mount Panorama. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Panorama and Orton Park 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.