Aspley 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
Aspley and Bridgeman Downs are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 11.5 km and 13.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Aspley runs $581 a year cheaper than Bridgeman Downs, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,661.
Over 10 years, Aspley costs about $6,700 less to run than Bridgeman Downs. That's about $13 a week.
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Bridgeman Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aspley | Bridgeman Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,440 | $3,921 | -$481 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,250 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,440 | $9,021 | -$581 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,192 | $5,292 | -$100 |
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 | Aspley | 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, Aspley vs Bridgeman Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Aspley costs $581 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,661 in favour of Aspley.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $481 per year. Bridgeman Downs is 13.5 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,192 and $5,292 a year, so the $581 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Aspley by $481 a year, $3,440 against $3,921.
- Building insurance favours Aspley by $100 a year, $2,150 against $2,250.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Bridgeman Downs against medium in Aspley, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aspley cumulative | Bridgeman Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,440 | $9,021 | $581 |
| Year 3 | $26,087 | $27,883 | $1,796 |
| Year 5 | $44,809 | $47,894 | $3,085 |
| Year 10 | $96,755 | $103,416 | $6,661 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aspley or Bridgeman Downs cheaper to live in?
Aspley is cheaper to run by car at $8,440 per year versus $9,021 for Bridgeman Downs, a difference of $581 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aspley and Bridgeman Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Aspley (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Bridgeman Downs (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Aspley 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 Aspley and Bridgeman Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,440 from Aspley and $3,921 from Bridgeman Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Aspley and $192 from Bridgeman Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aspley and Bridgeman Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aspley costs a cumulative $96,755 and Bridgeman Downs costs $103,416 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,661 in favour of Aspley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aspley and Bridgeman Downs suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.