Northmead vs Winston Hills, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Northmead and Winston Hills are both Parramatta rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 21.8 km and 23.6 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $78 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.
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Winston Hills
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Northmead | Winston Hills | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,156 | $1,156 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,542 | $5,814 | -$272 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,500 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,300 | $2,300 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,096 | $10,018 | +$78 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,954 | $6,604 | +$350 |
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 | Northmead | Winston Hills | 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, Northmead vs Winston Hills (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Northmead and Winston Hills cost within $78 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $894, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year. Northmead carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $6,954 from Northmead versus $6,604 from Winston Hills.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,156 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Northmead by $272 a year, $5,542 against $5,814.
- Building insurance favours Winston Hills by $350 a year, $1,500 against $1,850.
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 medium in Northmead against low in Winston Hills, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Northmead cumulative | Winston Hills cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,096 | $10,018 | $78 |
| Year 3 | $31,206 | $30,965 | $241 |
| Year 5 | $53,601 | $53,187 | $414 |
| Year 10 | $115,739 | $114,845 | $894 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Northmead or Winston Hills cheaper to live in?
Winston Hills is cheaper to run by car at $10,018 per year versus $10,096 for Northmead, a difference of $78 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Northmead and Winston Hills?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,156 in Northmead (Parramatta rates (OLG) and $1,156 in Winston Hills (Parramatta rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Northmead and $1,548 in Winston Hills. 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 Northmead and Winston Hills?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,542 from Northmead and $5,814 from Winston Hills to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Northmead and $2,400 from Winston Hills.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Northmead and Winston Hills?
At 3% annual cost growth, Northmead costs a cumulative $115,739 and Winston Hills costs $114,845 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $894 in favour of Winston Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Northmead and Winston Hills suits you better?
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Sources: Parramatta rates (OLG and Parramatta 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.