Clarendon vs South Windsor: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Clarendon and South Windsor are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 47.6 km and 45.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $102 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 →Clarendon
South Windsor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clarendon | South Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,514 | $6,616 | -$102 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $3,250 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,160 | $13,262 | -$102 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $9,046 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Clarendon | South Windsor | 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 — Clarendon vs South Windsor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clarendon and South Windsor cost within $102 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,169, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $102 per year. Clarendon is 47.6 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $9,046 and $9,046 a year, so the $102 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clarendon cumulative | South Windsor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,160 | $13,262 | $102 |
| Year 3 | $40,676 | $40,992 | $316 |
| Year 5 | $69,868 | $70,410 | $542 |
| Year 10 | $150,865 | $152,034 | $1,169 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clarendon or South Windsor cheaper to live in?
Clarendon is cheaper to run by car at $13,160 per year versus $13,262 for South Windsor, a difference of $102 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clarendon and South Windsor?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Clarendon (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,848 in South Windsor (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Clarendon and $1,548 in South Windsor. 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 Clarendon and South Windsor?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,514 from Clarendon and $6,616 from South Windsor to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clarendon and $2,400 from South Windsor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clarendon and South Windsor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clarendon costs a cumulative $150,865 and South Windsor costs $152,034 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,169 in favour of Clarendon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clarendon and South 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in 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.