Wilston vs Windsor, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Wilston and Windsor are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 4 km and 4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $150 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 the gap between these two is about $1,700, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Windsor
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Wilston | Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $1,328 | $1,328 | - |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,200 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,200 | $3,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $6,528 | $6,378 | +$150 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,392 | $5,242 | +$150 |
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: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Wilston | Windsor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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, Wilston vs Windsor (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wilston and Windsor differ by $150 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $0, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $150 per year. Wilston carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,392 and $5,242 a year, so the $150 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $1,328 a year.
- Building insurance favours Windsor by $150 a year, $2,200 against $2,350.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Wilston against low in Windsor, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Wilston cumulative | Windsor cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,528 | $6,378 | $150 |
| Year 3 | $20,177 | $19,714 | $463 |
| Year 5 | $34,658 | $33,862 | $796 |
| Year 10 | $74,836 | $73,117 | $1,719 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wilston or Windsor cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Wilston runs $6,528 a year by car and Windsor $6,378, but most of the $150 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $0. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Wilston and Windsor?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Wilston (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Windsor (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Wilston and $1,900 in Windsor. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Wilston and Windsor?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,328 from Wilston and $1,328 from Windsor to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Wilston and $192 from Windsor.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Wilston and Windsor?
At 3% annual cost growth, Wilston costs a cumulative $74,836 and Windsor costs $73,117 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,719 in favour of Windsor. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Wilston and Windsor suits you better?
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council 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.