Braemar Bay vs Old Adaminaby: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Braemar Bay and Old Adaminaby are both Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 337.5 km and 334.4 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $0 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.
Braemar Bay
Old Adaminaby
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Braemar Bay | Old Adaminaby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,306 | $1,306 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $17,600 | $17,600 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $22,206 | $22,206 | - |
| Total (public transport) | $7,006 | $7,006 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Braemar Bay | Old Adaminaby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,554 | $2,554 | - |
| Unit | $2,020 | $2,020 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Braemar Bay vs Old Adaminaby (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Braemar Bay and Old Adaminaby cost within $0 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $0, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is council rates at $0 per year.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,006 and $7,006 a year, so the $0 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Braemar Bay cumulative | Old Adaminaby cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $22,206 | $22,206 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $68,637 | $68,637 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $117,895 | $117,895 | $0 |
| Year 10 | $254,567 | $254,567 | $0 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Braemar Bay or Old Adaminaby cheaper to live in?
Braemar Bay is cheaper to run by car at $22,206 per year versus $22,206 for Old Adaminaby, a difference of $0 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Braemar Bay and Old Adaminaby?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,306 in Braemar Bay (Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG) and $1,306 in Old Adaminaby (Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Braemar Bay and $1,300 in Old Adaminaby. 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 Braemar Bay and Old Adaminaby?
Annual driving commute costs are $17,600 from Braemar Bay and $17,600 from Old Adaminaby to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Braemar Bay and $2,400 from Old Adaminaby.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Braemar Bay and Old Adaminaby?
At 3% annual cost growth, Braemar Bay costs a cumulative $254,567 and Old Adaminaby costs $254,567 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $0 in favour of Braemar Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Braemar Bay and Old Adaminaby 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: Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG and Snowy Monaro Regional rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.