Clarendon vs 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 Windsor are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 47.6 km and 46.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $223 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
Windsor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Clarendon | Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,514 | $6,591 | -$77 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,950 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,160 | $12,937 | +$223 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $8,746 | +$300 |
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 | 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 Windsor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Clarendon and Windsor cost within $223 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,557, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Clarendon carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,046 from Clarendon versus $8,746 from Windsor.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Clarendon cumulative | Windsor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,160 | $12,937 | $223 |
| Year 3 | $40,676 | $39,987 | $689 |
| Year 5 | $69,868 | $68,684 | $1,184 |
| Year 10 | $150,865 | $148,308 | $2,557 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clarendon or Windsor cheaper to live in?
Windsor is cheaper to run by car at $12,937 per year versus $13,160 for Clarendon, a difference of $223 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Clarendon and 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 Windsor (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Clarendon and $1,548 in 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 Windsor?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,514 from Clarendon and $6,591 from Windsor to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Clarendon and $2,400 from Windsor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Clarendon and Windsor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Clarendon costs a cumulative $150,865 and Windsor costs $148,308 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,557 in favour of Windsor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Clarendon 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.
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.