Robin Hill vs Stewarts Mount: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Robin Hill and Stewarts Mount are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 4.3 km and 5.3 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Robin Hill runs $307 a year cheaper than Stewarts Mount, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,520.
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 →Robin Hill
Stewarts Mount
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Robin Hill | Stewarts Mount | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,422 | $1,729 | -$307 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,700 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $5,763 | $6,070 | -$307 |
| 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 | Robin Hill | Stewarts Mount | 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 — Robin Hill vs Stewarts Mount (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Robin Hill costs $307 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,520 in favour of Robin Hill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $307 per year. Stewarts Mount is 5.3 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 $307 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 Robin Hill by $307 a year, $1,422 against $1,729.
- 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.
The catchment state school scores 5.7 in Stewarts Mount against 4.2 in Robin Hill, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Robin Hill cumulative | Stewarts Mount cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,763 | $6,070 | $307 |
| Year 3 | $17,813 | $18,762 | $949 |
| Year 5 | $30,597 | $32,226 | $1,629 |
| Year 10 | $66,066 | $69,586 | $3,520 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Robin Hill or Stewarts Mount cheaper to live in?
Robin Hill is cheaper to run by car at $5,763 per year versus $6,070 for Stewarts Mount, a difference of $307 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Robin Hill and Stewarts Mount?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Robin Hill (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Stewarts Mount (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Robin Hill and $1,300 in Stewarts Mount. 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 Robin Hill and Stewarts Mount?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,422 from Robin Hill and $1,729 from Stewarts Mount to Bathurst CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Robin Hill and $2,400 from Stewarts Mount.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Robin Hill and Stewarts Mount?
At 3% annual cost growth, Robin Hill costs a cumulative $66,066 and Stewarts Mount costs $69,586 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,520 in favour of Robin Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Robin Hill and Stewarts Mount 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.