Springwood vs Winmalee, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Springwood and Winmalee are both Blue Mountains rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 61.5 km and 59.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Springwood runs $406 a year cheaper than Winmalee, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,655.
Over 10 years, Springwood costs about $4,700 less to run than Winmalee. That's about $9 a week.
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Winmalee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Springwood | Winmalee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $2,157 | $2,157 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,970 | $5,276 | -$306 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,950 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,100 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $10,525 | $10,931 | -$406 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,955 | $8,055 | -$100 |
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 | Springwood | Winmalee | 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, Springwood vs Winmalee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Springwood costs $406 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,655 in favour of Springwood.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $306 per year. Springwood is 61.5 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, $7,955 and $8,055 a year, so the $406 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,157 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Springwood by $306 a year, $4,970 against $5,276.
- Building insurance favours Springwood by $100 a year, $1,850 against $1,950.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Springwood cumulative | Winmalee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,525 | $10,931 | $406 |
| Year 3 | $32,532 | $33,787 | $1,255 |
| Year 5 | $55,879 | $58,034 | $2,155 |
| Year 10 | $120,657 | $125,312 | $4,655 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Springwood or Winmalee cheaper to live in?
Springwood is cheaper to run by car at $10,525 per year versus $10,931 for Winmalee, a difference of $406 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Springwood and Winmalee?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,157 in Springwood (Blue Mountains rates (OLG) and $2,157 in Winmalee (Blue Mountains rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Springwood and $1,548 in Winmalee. 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 Springwood and Winmalee?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,970 from Springwood and $5,276 from Winmalee to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Springwood and $2,400 from Winmalee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Springwood and Winmalee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Springwood costs a cumulative $120,657 and Winmalee costs $125,312 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,655 in favour of Springwood. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Springwood and Winmalee suits you better?
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Sources: Blue Mountains rates (OLG and Blue Mountains 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.