Aylmerton vs Braemar: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Aylmerton and Braemar are both Wingecarribee rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 89.9 km and 91.7 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $221 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 →Aylmerton
Braemar
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aylmerton | Braemar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,926 | $4,005 | -$79 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $1,700 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,366 | $9,145 | +$221 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,840 | $7,540 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Aylmerton | Braemar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Aylmerton vs Braemar (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Aylmerton and Braemar cost within $221 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $2,534, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,840 from Aylmerton versus $7,540 from Braemar.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $2,140 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Aylmerton by $79 a year, $3,926 against $4,005.
- Building insurance favours Braemar by $300 a year, $1,700 against $2,000.
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 medium in Aylmerton against low in Braemar, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aylmerton cumulative | Braemar cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,366 | $9,145 | $221 |
| Year 3 | $28,949 | $28,266 | $683 |
| Year 5 | $49,725 | $48,552 | $1,173 |
| Year 10 | $107,371 | $104,837 | $2,534 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aylmerton or Braemar cheaper to live in?
Braemar is cheaper to run by car at $9,145 per year versus $9,366 for Aylmerton, a difference of $221 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aylmerton and Braemar?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,140 in Aylmerton (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Braemar (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Aylmerton and $1,300 in Braemar. 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 Aylmerton and Braemar?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,926 from Aylmerton and $4,005 from Braemar to Sydney CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Aylmerton and $2,400 from Braemar.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aylmerton and Braemar?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aylmerton costs a cumulative $107,371 and Braemar costs $104,837 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,534 in favour of Braemar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aylmerton and Braemar 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: Wingecarribee rates (OLG and Wingecarribee 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.