Bald Hills vs Brighton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bald Hills and Brighton are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 18.2 km and 19.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bald Hills runs $540 a year cheaper than Brighton, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,190.
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 →Bald Hills
Brighton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bald Hills | Brighton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,913 | $5,153 | -$240 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,100 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,563 | $11,103 | -$540 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,842 | $6,142 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bald Hills | Brighton | 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 — Bald Hills vs Brighton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bald Hills costs $540 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,190 in favour of Bald Hills.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $5,842 from Bald Hills versus $6,142 from Brighton.
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 Bald Hills by $240 a year, $4,913 against $5,153.
- Building insurance favours Bald Hills by $300 a year, $2,800 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.
The catchment state school scores 7.4 in Brighton against 6.3 in Bald Hills, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bald Hills cumulative | Brighton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,563 | $11,103 | $540 |
| Year 3 | $32,649 | $34,318 | $1,669 |
| Year 5 | $56,080 | $58,947 | $2,867 |
| Year 10 | $121,093 | $127,283 | $6,190 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bald Hills or Brighton cheaper to live in?
Bald Hills is cheaper to run by car at $10,563 per year versus $11,103 for Brighton, a difference of $540 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bald Hills and Brighton?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Bald Hills (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Brighton (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Bald Hills and $1,900 in Brighton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bald Hills and Brighton?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,913 from Bald Hills and $5,153 from Brighton to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bald Hills and $192 from Brighton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bald Hills and Brighton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bald Hills costs a cumulative $121,093 and Brighton costs $127,283 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,190 in favour of Bald Hills. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bald Hills and Brighton 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: 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.