Bardon 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
Bardon and Paddington are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 4.8 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 $1,751 a year cheaper than Bardon, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $20,074.
Over 10 years, Paddington costs about $20,100 less to run than Bardon — the same as paying $20,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Paddington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bardon | Paddington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,577 | $976 | +$601 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $1,950 | +$1,150 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,200 | $3,500 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $7,527 | $5,776 | +$1,751 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,142 | $4,992 | +$1,150 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bardon | 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 — Bardon vs Paddington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Paddington costs $1,751 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $20,074 in favour of Paddington.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,150 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,150 per year, $6,142 from Bardon 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 $601 a year, $976 against $1,577.
- Building insurance favours Paddington by $1,150 a year, $1,950 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.
Fire risk is rated high in Bardon against medium in Paddington, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bardon cumulative | Paddington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,527 | $5,776 | $1,751 |
| Year 3 | $23,265 | $17,853 | $5,412 |
| Year 5 | $39,962 | $30,666 | $9,296 |
| Year 10 | $86,289 | $66,215 | $20,074 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bardon or Paddington cheaper to live in?
Paddington is cheaper to run by car at $5,776 per year versus $7,527 for Bardon, a difference of $1,751 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bardon and Paddington?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Bardon (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Paddington (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Bardon 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 Bardon and Paddington?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,577 from Bardon and $976 from Paddington to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bardon and $192 from Paddington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bardon and Paddington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bardon costs a cumulative $86,289 and Paddington costs $66,215 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $20,074 in favour of Paddington. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bardon 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.