Orton Park vs South Bathurst, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Orton Park and South Bathurst are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 5 km and 2.7 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
South Bathurst runs $726 a year cheaper than Orton Park, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,323.
Over 10 years, South Bathurst costs about $8,300 less to run than Orton Park. That's about $16 a week.
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South Bathurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Orton Park | South Bathurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,638 | $912 | +$726 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,638 | $912 | +$726 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,550 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,829 | $5,103 | +$726 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,829 | $5,103 | +$726 |
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 | Orton Park | South Bathurst | 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, Orton Park vs South Bathurst (2026-27)
What the numbers show
South Bathurst costs $726 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,323 in favour of South Bathurst.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $726 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 gap is $726 per year, $5,829 from Orton Park versus $5,103 from South Bathurst.
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 South Bathurst by $726 a year, $912 against $1,638.
- 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Orton Park cumulative | South Bathurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,829 | $5,103 | $726 |
| Year 3 | $18,017 | $15,773 | $2,244 |
| Year 5 | $30,947 | $27,093 | $3,854 |
| Year 10 | $66,823 | $58,500 | $8,323 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Orton Park or South Bathurst cheaper to live in?
South Bathurst is cheaper to run by car at $5,103 per year versus $5,829 for Orton Park, a difference of $726 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Orton Park and South Bathurst?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Orton Park (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in South Bathurst (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Orton Park and $1,300 in South Bathurst. 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 Orton Park and South Bathurst?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,638 from Orton Park and $912 from South Bathurst 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 Orton Park and South Bathurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Orton Park costs a cumulative $66,823 and South Bathurst costs $58,500 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,323 in favour of South Bathurst. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Orton Park and South Bathurst suits you better?
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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.