Airds vs Bradbury: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Airds and Bradbury are both Campbelltown rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42.4 km and 43.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bradbury runs $722 a year cheaper than Airds, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,277.
Over 10 years, Bradbury costs about $8,300 less to run than Airds — the same as paying $8,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Bradbury
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Airds | Bradbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,497 | $1,497 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,734 | $6,712 | +$22 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,550 | $1,850 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,329 | $11,607 | +$722 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,995 | $7,295 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Airds | Bradbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Airds vs Bradbury (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bradbury costs $722 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,277 in favour of Bradbury.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $7,995 from Airds versus $7,295 from Bradbury.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Airds cumulative | Bradbury cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,329 | $11,607 | $722 |
| Year 3 | $38,108 | $35,876 | $2,232 |
| Year 5 | $65,456 | $61,623 | $3,833 |
| Year 10 | $141,338 | $133,061 | $8,277 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airds or Bradbury cheaper to live in?
Bradbury is cheaper to run by car at $11,607 per year versus $12,329 for Airds, a difference of $722 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Airds and Bradbury?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,497 in Airds (Campbelltown rates (OLG) and $1,497 in Bradbury (Campbelltown rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Airds and $1,548 in Bradbury. 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 Airds and Bradbury?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,734 from Airds and $6,712 from Bradbury to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Airds and $2,400 from Bradbury.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Airds and Bradbury?
At 3% annual cost growth, Airds costs a cumulative $141,338 and Bradbury costs $133,061 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,277 in favour of Bradbury. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Airds and Bradbury 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: Campbelltown rates (OLG and Campbelltown rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.