Bennetts Green vs Windale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bennetts Green and Windale are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 106.8 km and 106.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Windale runs $700 a year cheaper than Bennetts Green, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,025.
Over 10 years, Windale costs about $8,000 less to run than Bennetts Green — the same as paying $8,000 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 →Bennetts Green
Windale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bennetts Green | Windale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,150 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,590 | $22,890 | +$700 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $7,690 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bennetts Green | Windale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
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 — Bennetts Green vs Windale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Windale costs $700 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,025 in favour of Windale.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Bennetts Green carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $8,390 from Bennetts Green versus $7,690 from Windale.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bennetts Green cumulative | Windale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,590 | $22,890 | $700 |
| Year 3 | $72,914 | $70,751 | $2,163 |
| Year 5 | $125,243 | $121,526 | $3,717 |
| Year 10 | $270,433 | $262,408 | $8,025 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bennetts Green or Windale cheaper to live in?
Windale is cheaper to run by car at $22,890 per year versus $23,590 for Bennetts Green, a difference of $700 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bennetts Green and Windale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Bennetts Green (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Windale (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Bennetts Green and $1,377 in Windale. 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 Bennetts Green and Windale?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Bennetts Green and $17,600 from Windale to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bennetts Green and $2,400 from Windale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bennetts Green and Windale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bennetts Green costs a cumulative $270,433 and Windale costs $262,408 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,025 in favour of Windale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bennetts Green and Windale 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.