Primbee vs Windang: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Primbee and Windang are both Wollongong rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 76.8 km and 79.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $127 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 →Primbee
Windang
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Primbee | Windang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,819 | $1,819 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,355 | $3,482 | -$127 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,822 | $9,949 | -$127 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,867 | $8,867 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Primbee | Windang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,442 | $2,442 | - |
| Unit | $2,001 | $2,001 | - |
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 — Primbee vs Windang (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Primbee and Windang cost within $127 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,456, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $127 per year. Windang is 79.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,867 and $8,867 a year, so the $127 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,819 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Primbee by $127 a year, $3,355 against $3,482.
- Building insurance is identical at $3,100 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 5.7 in Windang against 4.6 in Primbee, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Primbee cumulative | Windang cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,822 | $9,949 | $127 |
| Year 3 | $30,359 | $30,751 | $392 |
| Year 5 | $52,146 | $52,821 | $675 |
| Year 10 | $112,598 | $114,054 | $1,456 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Primbee or Windang cheaper to live in?
Primbee is cheaper to run by car at $9,822 per year versus $9,949 for Windang, a difference of $127 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Primbee and Windang?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,819 in Primbee (Wollongong rates (OLG) and $1,819 in Windang (Wollongong rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Primbee and $1,548 in Windang. 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 Primbee and Windang?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,355 from Primbee and $3,482 from Windang to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Primbee and $2,400 from Windang.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Primbee and Windang?
At 3% annual cost growth, Primbee costs a cumulative $112,598 and Windang costs $114,054 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,456 in favour of Primbee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Primbee and Windang 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: Wollongong rates (OLG and Wollongong rates (OLG 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.