Alderley vs Paddington: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alderley and Paddington are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 5.5 km and 2.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Paddington runs $1,764 a year cheaper than Alderley, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,223.
Over 10 years, Paddington costs about $20,200 less to run than Alderley — the same as paying $20,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Paddington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alderley | Paddington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,790 | $976 | +$814 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $1,950 | +$950 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,000 | $3,500 | -$500 |
| Total (driving) | $7,540 | $5,776 | +$1,764 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,942 | $4,992 | +$950 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Alderley | Paddington | 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 — Alderley vs Paddington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Paddington costs $1,764 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,223 in favour of Paddington.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $950 per year. Alderley carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $950 per year, $5,942 from Alderley versus $4,992 from Paddington.
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 favours Paddington by $814 a year, $976 against $1,790.
- Building insurance favours Paddington by $950 a year, $1,950 against $2,900.
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 Alderley against low in Paddington, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Alderley against medium in Paddington, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alderley cumulative | Paddington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,540 | $5,776 | $1,764 |
| Year 3 | $23,305 | $17,853 | $5,452 |
| Year 5 | $40,031 | $30,666 | $9,365 |
| Year 10 | $86,438 | $66,215 | $20,223 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alderley or Paddington cheaper to live in?
Paddington is cheaper to run by car at $5,776 per year versus $7,540 for Alderley, a difference of $1,764 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alderley and Paddington?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Alderley (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Paddington (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Alderley and $1,900 in Paddington. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Alderley and Paddington?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,790 from Alderley and $976 from Paddington to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alderley and $192 from Paddington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alderley and Paddington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alderley costs a cumulative $86,438 and Paddington costs $66,215 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,223 in favour of Paddington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alderley and Paddington 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.