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 $1,140 a year cheaper than Brendale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,068.
Over 10 years, Bridgeman Downs costs about $13,100 less to run than Brendale — the same as paying $13,100 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 | $1,309 | $950 | +$359 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,144 | $1,900 | +$244 |
| Commute (driving) | $4,658 | $3,921 | +$737 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,800 | $3,000 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,911 | $9,771 | +$1,140 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,445 | $6,042 | +$403 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $1,140 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,068 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 $403 per year, $6,445 from Brendale versus $6,042 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 $200 a year, $2,800 against $3,000.
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 | $10,911 | $9,771 | $1,140 |
| Year 3 | $33,725 | $30,201 | $3,524 |
| Year 5 | $57,928 | $51,876 | $6,052 |
| Year 10 | $125,082 | $112,014 | $13,068 |
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 $9,771 per year versus $10,911 for Brendale, a difference of $1,140 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 $125,082 and Bridgeman Downs costs $112,014 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,068 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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Related comparisons
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.