Cornwallis 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
Cornwallis and Windsor are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 47.8 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 $90 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 →Cornwallis
Windsor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cornwallis | Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,501 | $6,591 | -$90 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,950 | $2,950 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,847 | $12,937 | -$90 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,746 | $8,746 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Cornwallis | 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 — Cornwallis vs Windsor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cornwallis and Windsor cost within $90 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,032, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $90 per year. Cornwallis is 47.8 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, $8,746 and $8,746 a year, so the $90 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cornwallis cumulative | Windsor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,847 | $12,937 | $90 |
| Year 3 | $39,709 | $39,987 | $278 |
| Year 5 | $68,206 | $68,684 | $478 |
| Year 10 | $147,276 | $148,308 | $1,032 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cornwallis or Windsor cheaper to live in?
Cornwallis is cheaper to run by car at $12,847 per year versus $12,937 for Windsor, a difference of $90 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cornwallis and Windsor?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Cornwallis (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 Cornwallis 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 Cornwallis and Windsor?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,501 from Cornwallis and $6,591 from Windsor to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Cornwallis and $2,400 from Windsor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cornwallis and Windsor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cornwallis costs a cumulative $147,276 and Windsor costs $148,308 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,032 in favour of Cornwallis. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cornwallis 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.