Bligh Park vs Windsor Downs: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/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 $107 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 →Bligh Park
Windsor Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bligh Park | Windsor Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,360 | +$488 |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,644 | $6,725 | -$81 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,340 | $12,233 | +$107 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,096 | $7,908 | +$188 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bligh Park | Windsor Downs | 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 — Bligh Park vs Windsor Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bligh Park and Windsor Downs cost within $107 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,226, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $488 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,096 and $7,908 a year, so the $107 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bligh Park cumulative | Windsor Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,340 | $12,233 | $107 |
| Year 3 | $38,142 | $37,811 | $331 |
| Year 5 | $65,515 | $64,947 | $568 |
| Year 10 | $141,464 | $140,238 | $1,226 |
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?
Windsor Downs is cheaper to run by car at $12,233 per year versus $12,340 for Bligh Park, a difference of $107 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. 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 $6,644 from Bligh Park and $6,725 from Windsor Downs to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/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 $141,464 and Windsor Downs costs $140,238 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,226 in favour of Windsor Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bligh Park and Windsor Downs 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: 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.