Lochinvar vs Windermere: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lochinvar and Windermere are both Maitland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 131.5 km and 134.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Lochinvar runs $450 a year cheaper than Windermere, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,158.
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 →Lochinvar
Windermere
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lochinvar | Windermere | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,970 | $1,970 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,450 | -$450 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,947 | $23,397 | -$450 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,747 | $8,197 | -$450 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Lochinvar | Windermere | 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 — Lochinvar vs Windermere (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Lochinvar costs $450 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,158 in favour of Lochinvar.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $450 per year. Windermere carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $450 per year, $7,747 from Lochinvar versus $8,197 from Windermere.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lochinvar cumulative | Windermere cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,947 | $23,397 | $450 |
| Year 3 | $70,927 | $72,318 | $1,391 |
| Year 5 | $121,829 | $124,218 | $2,389 |
| Year 10 | $263,062 | $268,220 | $5,158 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lochinvar or Windermere cheaper to live in?
Lochinvar is cheaper to run by car at $22,947 per year versus $23,397 for Windermere, a difference of $450 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lochinvar and Windermere?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Lochinvar (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Windermere (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Lochinvar and $1,377 in Windermere. 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 Lochinvar and Windermere?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Lochinvar and $17,600 from Windermere to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Lochinvar and $2,400 from Windermere.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lochinvar and Windermere?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lochinvar costs a cumulative $263,062 and Windermere costs $268,220 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,158 in favour of Lochinvar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lochinvar and Windermere 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: Maitland rates (OLG and Maitland 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.