Melonba vs Windsor Downs, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Melonba and Windsor Downs are both Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for suburbs, sitting 43 km and 42.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $245 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 the gap between these two is about $2,800, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Windsor Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Melonba | Windsor Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,360 | $1,360 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,949 | $6,954 | -$5 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,100 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,207 | $11,962 | +$245 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,658 | $7,408 | +$250 |
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 | Melonba | Windsor Downs | 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, Melonba vs Windsor Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Melonba and Windsor Downs differ by $245 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $5, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Melonba carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,658 from Melonba versus $7,408 from Windsor Downs.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,360 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Melonba by $5 a year, $6,949 against $6,954.
- Building insurance favours Windsor Downs by $250 a year, $2,100 against $2,350.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in Melonba against medium in Windsor Downs, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Windsor Downs against low in Melonba, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.5 in Melonba against 4.7 in Windsor Downs, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Melonba cumulative | Windsor Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,207 | $11,962 | $245 |
| Year 3 | $37,731 | $36,973 | $758 |
| Year 5 | $64,809 | $63,508 | $1,301 |
| Year 10 | $139,940 | $137,131 | $2,809 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Melonba or Windsor Downs cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Melonba runs $12,207 a year by car and Windsor Downs $11,962, but most of the $245 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $5. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Melonba and Windsor Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,360 in Melonba (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) and $1,360 in Windsor Downs (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Melonba and $1,548 in Windsor Downs. 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 Melonba and Windsor Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,949 from Melonba and $6,954 from Windsor Downs to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Melonba and $2,400 from Windsor Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Melonba and Windsor Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Melonba costs a cumulative $139,940 and Windsor Downs costs $137,131 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,809 in favour of Windsor Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Melonba and Windsor Downs suits you better?
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Sources: Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.