Bridges vs Ninderry, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bridges and Ninderry are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 19.5 km and 16.9 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Ninderry runs $645 a year cheaper than Bridges, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,395.
Over 10 years, Ninderry costs about $7,400 less to run than Bridges. That's about $14 a week.
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Ninderry
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bridges | Ninderry | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,153 | $4,658 | +$495 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,250 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,418 | $10,773 | +$645 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,457 | $6,307 | +$150 |
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 | Bridges | Ninderry | 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, Bridges vs Ninderry (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Ninderry costs $645 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,395 in favour of Ninderry.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $495 per year. Bridges is 19.5 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,457 and $6,307 a year, so the $645 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,771 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,094 a year.
- Driving commute favours Ninderry by $495 a year, $4,658 against $5,153.
- Building insurance favours Ninderry by $150 a year, $2,250 against $2,400.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bridges cumulative | Ninderry cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,418 | $10,773 | $645 |
| Year 3 | $35,292 | $33,298 | $1,994 |
| Year 5 | $60,620 | $57,195 | $3,425 |
| Year 10 | $130,895 | $123,500 | $7,395 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bridges or Ninderry cheaper to live in?
Ninderry is cheaper to run by car at $10,773 per year versus $11,418 for Bridges, a difference of $645 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bridges and Ninderry?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Bridges (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Ninderry (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Bridges and $2,094 in Ninderry. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bridges and Ninderry?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,153 from Bridges and $4,658 from Ninderry to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bridges and $192 from Ninderry.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bridges and Ninderry?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bridges costs a cumulative $130,895 and Ninderry costs $123,500 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,395 in favour of Ninderry. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bridges and Ninderry suits you better?
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Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast 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.