Albany Creek vs Bridgeman Downs, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Albany Creek (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and Bridgeman Downs (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (14 km and 13.5 km).
Bridgeman Downs runs $568 a year cheaper than Albany Creek, driven mostly by council rates. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,511.
Over 10 years, Bridgeman Downs costs about $6,500 less to run than Albany Creek. That's about $13 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan → Neither quite right? Find the Brisbane suburbs that fit your budget →Albany Creek
Bridgeman Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Albany Creek | Bridgeman Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $950 | +$359 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $1,900 | +$244 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,036 | $3,921 | +$115 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,250 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,589 | $9,021 | +$568 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,745 | $5,292 | +$453 |
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 | Albany Creek | Bridgeman Downs | 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, Albany Creek vs Bridgeman Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bridgeman Downs costs $568 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,511 in favour of Bridgeman Downs.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $359 per year.
On public transport the gap is $453 per year, $5,745 from Albany Creek versus $5,292 from Bridgeman Downs.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bridgeman Downs by $359 a year, $950 against $1,309.
- Water and sewerage favours Bridgeman Downs by $244 a year, $1,900 against $2,144.
- Driving commute favours Bridgeman Downs by $115 a year, $3,921 against $4,036.
- Building insurance favours Albany Creek by $150 a year, $2,100 against $2,250.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Flood risk is rated medium in Bridgeman Downs against low in Albany Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Albany Creek cumulative | Bridgeman Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,589 | $9,021 | $568 |
| Year 3 | $29,639 | $27,883 | $1,756 |
| Year 5 | $50,909 | $47,894 | $3,015 |
| Year 10 | $109,927 | $103,416 | $6,511 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Albany Creek or Bridgeman Downs cheaper to live in?
Bridgeman Downs is cheaper to run by car at $9,021 per year versus $9,589 for Albany Creek, a difference of $568 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Albany Creek and Bridgeman Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Albany Creek (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $950 in Bridgeman Downs (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Albany Creek and $1,900 in Bridgeman Downs. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Albany Creek and Bridgeman Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,036 from Albany Creek and $3,921 from Bridgeman Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Albany Creek and $192 from Bridgeman Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Albany Creek and Bridgeman Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Albany Creek costs a cumulative $109,927 and Bridgeman Downs costs $103,416 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,511 in favour of Bridgeman Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Albany Creek and Bridgeman Downs suits you better?
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: Moreton Bay Regional 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.