Baulkham Hills vs Winston Hills: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Baulkham Hills (The Hills rates (OLG) and Winston Hills (Parramatta rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (24.6 km and 23.6 km).
The two sit within $240 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 →Baulkham Hills
Winston Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Baulkham Hills | Winston Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,261 | $1,156 | +$105 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,757 | $5,622 | +$135 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,416 | $10,176 | +$240 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,059 | $6,954 | +$105 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Baulkham Hills | Winston Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Baulkham Hills vs Winston Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Baulkham Hills and Winston Hills cost within $240 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,752, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $135 per year. Baulkham Hills is 24.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,059 and $6,954 a year, so the $240 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Baulkham Hills cumulative | Winston Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,416 | $10,176 | $240 |
| Year 3 | $32,195 | $31,453 | $742 |
| Year 5 | $55,300 | $54,026 | $1,274 |
| Year 10 | $119,408 | $116,656 | $2,752 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baulkham Hills or Winston Hills cheaper to live in?
Winston Hills is cheaper to run by car at $10,176 per year versus $10,416 for Baulkham Hills, a difference of $240 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Baulkham Hills and Winston Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,261 in Baulkham Hills (The Hills rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Winston Hills (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Baulkham Hills and $1,548 in Winston Hills. 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 Baulkham Hills and Winston Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,757 from Baulkham Hills and $5,622 from Winston Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Baulkham Hills and $2,400 from Winston Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Baulkham Hills and Winston Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Baulkham Hills costs a cumulative $119,408 and Winston Hills costs $116,656 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,752 in favour of Winston Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Baulkham Hills and Winston Hills 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: The Hills rates (OLG and Parramatta rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.