Aldavilla vs Burnt Bridge: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Aldavilla and Burnt Bridge are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42.4 km and 38 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $243 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 these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Aldavilla
Burnt Bridge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aldavilla | Burnt Bridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,964 | $6,971 | -$7 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,850 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,856 | $12,613 | +$243 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,292 | $8,042 | +$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Aldavilla | Burnt Bridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
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 — Aldavilla vs Burnt Bridge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Aldavilla and Burnt Bridge cost within $243 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,786, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. Aldavilla carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $8,292 from Aldavilla versus $8,042 from Burnt Bridge.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,492 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Aldavilla by $7 a year, $6,964 against $6,971.
- Building insurance favours Burnt Bridge by $250 a year, $2,850 against $3,100.
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 high in Aldavilla against medium in Burnt Bridge, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Burnt Bridge against medium in Aldavilla, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 3.4 in Aldavilla against 1 in Burnt Bridge, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aldavilla cumulative | Burnt Bridge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,856 | $12,613 | $243 |
| Year 3 | $39,737 | $38,986 | $751 |
| Year 5 | $68,254 | $66,964 | $1,290 |
| Year 10 | $147,380 | $144,594 | $2,786 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aldavilla or Burnt Bridge cheaper to live in?
Burnt Bridge is cheaper to run by car at $12,613 per year versus $12,856 for Aldavilla, a difference of $243 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aldavilla and Burnt Bridge?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Aldavilla (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Burnt Bridge (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Aldavilla and $1,300 in Burnt Bridge. 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 Aldavilla and Burnt Bridge?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,964 from Aldavilla and $6,971 from Burnt Bridge to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Aldavilla and $2,400 from Burnt Bridge.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aldavilla and Burnt Bridge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aldavilla costs a cumulative $147,380 and Burnt Bridge costs $144,594 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,786 in favour of Burnt Bridge. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aldavilla and Burnt Bridge 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: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.