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 — the same as paying $8,300 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 →Orton Park
South Bathurst
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Orton Park | South Bathurst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,638 | $912 | +$726 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,979 | $5,253 | +$726 |
| 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 | 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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,741 and $6,741 a year, so the $726 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 South Bathurst by $726 a year, $912 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 | Orton Park cumulative | South Bathurst cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,979 | $5,253 | $726 |
| Year 3 | $18,480 | $16,236 | $2,244 |
| Year 5 | $31,743 | $27,889 | $3,854 |
| Year 10 | $68,543 | $60,220 | $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 $5,253 per year versus $5,979 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). Public transport costs $2,400 from Orton Park and $2,400 from South Bathurst.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Orton Park and South Bathurst?
At 3% annual cost growth, Orton Park costs a cumulative $68,543 and South Bathurst costs $60,220 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 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.