Bowen Hills vs Windsor: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bowen Hills and Windsor are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 3 km and 4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bowen Hills runs $319 a year cheaper than Windsor, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,657.
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 →Bowen Hills
Windsor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bowen Hills | Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,009 | $1,328 | -$319 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $4,800 | $3,200 | +$1,600 |
| Total (driving) | $5,759 | $6,078 | -$319 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,942 | $4,942 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bowen Hills | Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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 — Bowen Hills vs Windsor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bowen Hills costs $319 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,657 in favour of Bowen Hills.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $319 per year. Windsor is 4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $4,942 and $4,942 a year, so the $319 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bowen Hills by $319 a year, $1,009 against $1,328.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,900 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
Flood risk is rated high in Bowen Hills against low in Windsor, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Windsor against low in Bowen Hills, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bowen Hills cumulative | Windsor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,759 | $6,078 | $319 |
| Year 3 | $17,800 | $18,786 | $986 |
| Year 5 | $30,575 | $32,269 | $1,694 |
| Year 10 | $66,020 | $69,677 | $3,657 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bowen Hills or Windsor cheaper to live in?
Bowen Hills is cheaper to run by car at $5,759 per year versus $6,078 for Windsor, a difference of $319 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bowen Hills and Windsor?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Bowen Hills (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Windsor (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Bowen Hills and $1,900 in Windsor. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bowen Hills and Windsor?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,009 from Bowen Hills and $1,328 from Windsor to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bowen Hills and $192 from Windsor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bowen Hills and Windsor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bowen Hills costs a cumulative $66,020 and Windsor costs $69,677 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,657 in favour of Bowen Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bowen Hills and Windsor 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.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council 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.