Brightwaters vs Windermere Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brightwaters and Windermere Park are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 89.2 km and 88.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $67 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 →Brightwaters
Windermere Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brightwaters | Windermere Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,768 | $3,751 | +$17 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $2,800 | +$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,758 | $9,691 | +$67 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,390 | $8,340 | +$50 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Brightwaters | Windermere Park | 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 — Brightwaters vs Windermere Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Brightwaters and Windermere Park cost within $67 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $769, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $50 per year. Brightwaters carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,390 and $8,340 a year, so the $67 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brightwaters cumulative | Windermere Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,758 | $9,691 | $67 |
| Year 3 | $30,161 | $29,954 | $207 |
| Year 5 | $51,807 | $51,451 | $356 |
| Year 10 | $111,865 | $111,096 | $769 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brightwaters or Windermere Park cheaper to live in?
Windermere Park is cheaper to run by car at $9,691 per year versus $9,758 for Brightwaters, a difference of $67 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brightwaters and Windermere Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Brightwaters (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Windermere Park (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Brightwaters and $1,377 in Windermere Park. 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 Brightwaters and Windermere Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,768 from Brightwaters and $3,751 from Windermere Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Brightwaters and $2,400 from Windermere Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brightwaters and Windermere Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brightwaters costs a cumulative $111,865 and Windermere Park costs $111,096 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $769 in favour of Windermere Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brightwaters and Windermere Park 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.