Tingira Heights vs Windale: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Tingira Heights and Windale are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 13 km and 11.9 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $115 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 →Tingira Heights
Windale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Tingira Heights | Windale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,805 | $3,540 | +$265 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,945 | $8,830 | +$115 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,540 | $7,690 | -$150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Tingira Heights | Windale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
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 — Tingira Heights vs Windale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Tingira Heights and Windale cost within $115 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,318, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $265 per year. Tingira Heights is 13 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,540 and $7,690 a year, so the $115 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,763 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Windale by $265 a year, $3,540 against $3,805.
- Building insurance favours Tingira Heights by $150 a year, $2,000 against $2,150.
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 Windale against low in Tingira Heights, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Tingira Heights against low in Windale, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Tingira Heights cumulative | Windale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,945 | $8,830 | $115 |
| Year 3 | $27,648 | $27,293 | $355 |
| Year 5 | $47,490 | $46,880 | $610 |
| Year 10 | $102,544 | $101,226 | $1,318 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tingira Heights or Windale cheaper to live in?
Windale is cheaper to run by car at $8,830 per year versus $8,945 for Tingira Heights, a difference of $115 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Tingira Heights and Windale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Tingira Heights (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Windale (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Tingira Heights 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 Tingira Heights and Windale?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,805 from Tingira Heights and $3,540 from Windale to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Tingira Heights and $2,400 from Windale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Tingira Heights and Windale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Tingira Heights costs a cumulative $102,544 and Windale costs $101,226 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,318 in favour of Windale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Tingira Heights 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.