Mount Hutton vs Windale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Mount Hutton and Windale are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 107.5 km and 106.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $150 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 →Mount Hutton
Windale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Mount Hutton | Windale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,740 | $22,890 | -$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,540 | $7,690 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Mount Hutton | Windale | 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 — Mount Hutton vs Windale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mount Hutton and Windale cost within $150 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,719, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Windale carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,540 and $7,690 a year, so the $150 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Mount Hutton cumulative | Windale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,740 | $22,890 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $70,287 | $70,751 | $464 |
| Year 5 | $120,730 | $121,526 | $796 |
| Year 10 | $260,689 | $262,408 | $1,719 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Hutton or Windale cheaper to live in?
Mount Hutton is cheaper to run by car at $22,740 per year versus $22,890 for Windale, a difference of $150 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Mount Hutton and Windale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Mount Hutton (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Windale (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Mount Hutton and $1,377 in Windale. 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 Mount Hutton and Windale?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Mount Hutton and $17,600 from Windale to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Mount Hutton and $2,400 from Windale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Mount Hutton and Windale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Mount Hutton costs a cumulative $260,689 and Windale costs $262,408 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,719 in favour of Mount Hutton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Mount Hutton and Windale 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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie 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.