Bligh Park vs Windsor Downs, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bligh Park (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and Windsor Downs (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (45.2 km and 42.8 km).
The two sit within $295 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 the gap between these two is about $3,400, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Windsor Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bligh Park | Windsor Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,848 | $1,360 | +$488 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,871 | $6,954 | -$83 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,400 | $2,100 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,667 | $11,962 | -$295 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,196 | $7,408 | -$212 |
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 | Bligh Park | Windsor Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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, Bligh Park vs Windsor Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bligh Park and Windsor Downs differ by $295 a year by car, but $700 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $405, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Windsor Downs carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $212 per year, $7,196 from Bligh Park versus $7,408 from Windsor Downs.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Windsor Downs by $488 a year, $1,360 against $1,848.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bligh Park by $83 a year, $6,871 against $6,954.
- Building insurance favours Bligh Park by $700 a year, $1,400 against $2,100.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Fire risk is rated medium in Windsor Downs against low in Bligh Park, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bligh Park cumulative | Windsor Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,667 | $11,962 | $295 |
| Year 3 | $36,062 | $36,973 | $911 |
| Year 5 | $61,942 | $63,508 | $1,566 |
| Year 10 | $133,749 | $137,131 | $3,382 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bligh Park or Windsor Downs cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bligh Park runs $11,667 a year by car and Windsor Downs $11,962, but most of the $295 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $405. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bligh Park and Windsor Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Bligh Park (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,360 in Windsor Downs (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Bligh Park and $1,548 in Windsor Downs. 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 Bligh Park and Windsor Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,871 from Bligh Park and $6,954 from Windsor Downs to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bligh Park and $2,400 from Windsor Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bligh Park and Windsor Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bligh Park costs a cumulative $133,749 and Windsor Downs costs $137,131 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,382 in favour of Bligh Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bligh Park and Windsor Downs suits you better?
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Sources: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.