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 $105 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) | $6,871 | $6,954 | -$83 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,300 | $2,600 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,567 | $12,462 | +$105 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,096 | $7,908 | +$188 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/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 | $2,720 | $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 cost within $105 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,204, 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 $105 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 $300 a year, $2,300 against $2,600.
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 | $12,567 | $12,462 | $105 |
| Year 3 | $38,843 | $38,519 | $324 |
| Year 5 | $66,720 | $66,162 | $558 |
| Year 10 | $144,067 | $142,863 | $1,204 |
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 $12,462 per year versus $12,567 for Bligh Park, a difference of $105 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $6,871 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 $144,067 and Windsor Downs costs $142,863 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,204 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.