Vineyard vs Windsor Downs, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Vineyard (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and Windsor Downs (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Sydney CBD (42.2 km and 42.8 km).
Windsor Downs runs $852 a year cheaper than Vineyard, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,767.
Over 10 years, Windsor Downs costs about $9,800 less to run than Vineyard. That's about $19 a week.
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Windsor Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Vineyard | Windsor Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,848 | $1,360 | +$488 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,968 | $6,954 | +$14 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,100 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,814 | $11,962 | +$852 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,246 | $7,408 | +$838 |
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 | Vineyard | Windsor Downs | 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, Vineyard vs Windsor Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Windsor Downs costs $852 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,767 in favour of Windsor Downs.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $488 per year.
On public transport the gap is $838 per year, $8,246 from Vineyard versus $7,408 from Windsor Downs.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Windsor Downs by $488 a year, $1,360 against $1,848.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,548 a year.
- Driving commute favours Windsor Downs by $14 a year, $6,954 against $6,968.
- Building insurance favours Windsor Downs by $350 a year, $2,100 against $2,450.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For NSW that figure is the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg.
Flood risk is rated high in Vineyard against medium in Windsor Downs, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Vineyard cumulative | Windsor Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,814 | $11,962 | $852 |
| Year 3 | $39,607 | $36,973 | $2,634 |
| Year 5 | $68,031 | $63,508 | $4,523 |
| Year 10 | $146,898 | $137,131 | $9,767 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vineyard or Windsor Downs cheaper to live in?
Windsor Downs is cheaper to run by car at $11,962 per year versus $12,814 for Vineyard, a difference of $852 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Vineyard and Windsor Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,848 in Vineyard (Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in) and $1,360 in Windsor Downs (Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Vineyard and $1,548 in Windsor Downs. 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 Vineyard and Windsor Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,968 from Vineyard and $6,954 from Windsor Downs to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Vineyard and $2,400 from Windsor Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Vineyard and Windsor Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Vineyard costs a cumulative $146,898 and Windsor Downs costs $137,131 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,767 in favour of Windsor Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Vineyard and Windsor Downs suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Hawkesbury City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 8.66% in and Blacktown City Council rates (IPART approved SRV, 11.54% adopted for 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.