Mcgraths Hill vs Windsor: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mcgraths Hill and Windsor are both Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in suburbs, sitting 44.4 km and 46.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Windsor runs $389 a year cheaper than Mcgraths Hill, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,459.
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 →Mcgraths Hill
Windsor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mcgraths Hill | Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,848 | $1,848 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,905 | $6,816 | +$89 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,250 | $2,950 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $13,551 | $13,162 | +$389 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,046 | $8,746 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mcgraths Hill | Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Mcgraths Hill vs Windsor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Windsor costs $389 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,459 in favour of Windsor.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Mcgraths Hill carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,046 from Mcgraths Hill versus $8,746 from Windsor.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,848 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Windsor by $89 a year, $6,816 against $6,905.
- Building insurance favours Windsor by $300 a year, $2,950 against $3,250.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Mcgraths Hill against low in Windsor, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mcgraths Hill cumulative | Windsor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,551 | $13,162 | $389 |
| Year 3 | $41,885 | $40,682 | $1,203 |
| Year 5 | $71,944 | $69,879 | $2,065 |
| Year 10 | $155,347 | $150,888 | $4,459 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mcgraths Hill or Windsor cheaper to live in?
Windsor is cheaper to run by car at $13,162 per year versus $13,551 for Mcgraths Hill, a difference of $389 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mcgraths Hill and Windsor?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Mcgraths Hill (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 Mcgraths Hill 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 Mcgraths Hill and Windsor?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,905 from Mcgraths Hill and $6,816 from Windsor to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mcgraths Hill and $2,400 from Windsor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mcgraths Hill and Windsor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mcgraths Hill costs a cumulative $155,347 and Windsor costs $150,888 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,459 in favour of Windsor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mcgraths Hill 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.