Brendale vs Bridgeman Downs: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/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 $813 a year cheaper than Brendale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,320.
Over 10 years, Bridgeman Downs costs about $9,300 less to run than Brendale — the same as paying $9,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Bridgeman Downs
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brendale | Bridgeman Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,636 | $1,579 | +$57 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $1,900 | +$244 |
| Commute (driving) | $4,504 | $3,792 | +$712 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,084 | $10,271 | +$813 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,772 | $6,671 | +$101 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Brendale | Bridgeman Downs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Brendale vs Bridgeman Downs (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bridgeman Downs costs $813 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,320 in favour of Bridgeman Downs.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $712 per year. Brendale is 16.9 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,772 and $6,671 a year, so the $813 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brendale cumulative | Bridgeman Downs cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,084 | $10,271 | $813 |
| Year 3 | $34,260 | $31,747 | $2,513 |
| Year 5 | $58,846 | $54,530 | $4,316 |
| Year 10 | $127,066 | $117,746 | $9,320 |
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 $10,271 per year versus $11,084 for Brendale, a difference of $813 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brendale and Bridgeman Downs?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,636 in Brendale (Moreton Bay Regional Council) and $1,579 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 $4,504 from Brendale and $3,792 from Bridgeman Downs to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $127,066 and Bridgeman Downs costs $117,746 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,320 in favour of Bridgeman Downs. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brendale and Bridgeman Downs is best to actually live in?
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.