Brendale 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
Brendale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and Bridgeman Downs (Brisbane City Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (16.9 km and 13.5 km).
Bridgeman Downs runs $1,240 a year cheaper than Brendale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,215.
Over 10 years, Bridgeman Downs costs about $14,200 less to run than Brendale. That's about $27 a week.
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Bridgeman Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brendale | Bridgeman Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,309 | $950 | +$359 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,144 | $1,900 | +$244 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,658 | $3,921 | +$737 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,250 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,261 | $9,021 | +$1,240 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,795 | $5,292 | +$503 |
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 | Brendale | 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, Brendale vs Bridgeman Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bridgeman Downs costs $1,240 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,215 in favour of Bridgeman Downs.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $737 per year. Brendale is 16.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $503 per year, $5,795 from Brendale versus $5,292 from Bridgeman Downs.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Bridgeman Downs by $359 a year, $950 against $1,309.
- Water and sewerage favours Bridgeman Downs by $244 a year, $1,900 against $2,144.
- Driving commute favours Bridgeman Downs by $737 a year, $3,921 against $4,658.
- Building insurance favours Brendale by $100 a year, $2,150 against $2,250.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Fire risk is rated high in Bridgeman Downs against medium in Brendale, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.7 in Bridgeman Downs against 5.2 in Brendale, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brendale cumulative | Bridgeman Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,261 | $9,021 | $1,240 |
| Year 3 | $31,716 | $27,883 | $3,833 |
| Year 5 | $54,477 | $47,894 | $6,583 |
| Year 10 | $117,631 | $103,416 | $14,215 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brendale or Bridgeman Downs cheaper to live in?
Bridgeman Downs is cheaper to run by car at $9,021 per year versus $10,261 for Brendale, a difference of $1,240 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brendale and Bridgeman Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,309 in Brendale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $950 in Bridgeman Downs (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,144 in Brendale 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 Brendale and Bridgeman Downs?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,658 from Brendale and $3,921 from Bridgeman Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Brendale and $192 from Bridgeman Downs.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brendale and Bridgeman Downs?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brendale costs a cumulative $117,631 and Bridgeman Downs costs $103,416 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,215 in favour of Bridgeman Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brendale and Bridgeman Downs suits you better?
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Sources: Moreton Bay Regional 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.