Windella vs Windermere, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Windella and Windermere are both Maitland rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 38.3 km and 41.9 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $247 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 $2,800, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Windermere
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Windella | Windermere | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,970 | $1,970 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,976 | $6,973 | +$3 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,200 | $1,450 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,523 | $11,770 | -$247 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,947 | $7,197 | -$250 |
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 | Windella | Windermere | 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, Windella vs Windermere (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Windella and Windermere differ by $247 a year by car, but $250 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 $3, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Windermere carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $6,947 from Windella versus $7,197 from Windermere.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,970 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Windermere by $3 a year, $6,973 against $6,976.
- Building insurance favours Windella by $250 a year, $1,200 against $1,450.
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 Windermere against low in Windella, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Windella cumulative | Windermere cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,523 | $11,770 | $247 |
| Year 3 | $35,616 | $36,380 | $764 |
| Year 5 | $61,177 | $62,489 | $1,312 |
| Year 10 | $132,098 | $134,930 | $2,832 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windella or Windermere cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Windella runs $11,523 a year by car and Windermere $11,770, but most of the $247 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $3. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Windella and Windermere?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,970 in Windella (Maitland rates (OLG) and $1,970 in Windermere (Maitland rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Windella and $1,377 in Windermere. 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 Windella and Windermere?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,976 from Windella and $6,973 from Windermere to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Windella and $2,400 from Windermere.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Windella and Windermere?
At 3% annual cost growth, Windella costs a cumulative $132,098 and Windermere costs $134,930 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,832 in favour of Windella. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Windella and Windermere suits you better?
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Sources: Maitland rates (OLG and Maitland 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.