Kangaroobie vs Windera, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kangaroobie and Windera are both Cabonne rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14.7 km and 11.3 km from Orange CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Windera runs $802 a year cheaper than Kangaroobie, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,194.
Over 10 years, Windera costs about $9,200 less to run than Kangaroobie. That's about $18 a week.
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Windera
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kangaroobie | Windera | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $775 | $775 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,193 | $3,391 | +$802 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,193 | $3,391 | +$802 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,118 | $7,316 | +$802 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,118 | $7,316 | +$802 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Kangaroobie | Windera | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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, Kangaroobie vs Windera (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Windera costs $802 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,194 in favour of Windera.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $802 per year. Kangaroobie is 14.7 km from Orange CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $802 per year, $8,118 from Kangaroobie versus $7,316 from Windera.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $775 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Windera by $802 a year, $3,391 against $4,193.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kangaroobie cumulative | Windera cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,118 | $7,316 | $802 |
| Year 3 | $25,092 | $22,613 | $2,479 |
| Year 5 | $43,100 | $38,842 | $4,258 |
| Year 10 | $93,064 | $83,870 | $9,194 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kangaroobie or Windera cheaper to live in?
Windera is cheaper to run by car at $7,316 per year versus $8,118 for Kangaroobie, a difference of $802 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kangaroobie and Windera?
Annual council rates for a house are $775 in Kangaroobie (Cabonne rates (OLG) and $775 in Windera (Cabonne rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Kangaroobie and $1,300 in Windera. 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 Kangaroobie and Windera?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,193 from Kangaroobie and $3,391 from Windera to Orange CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kangaroobie and Windera?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kangaroobie costs a cumulative $93,064 and Windera costs $83,870 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,194 in favour of Windera. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kangaroobie and Windera suits you better?
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Sources: Cabonne rates (OLG and Cabonne rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.