Bridges vs Yandina, 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 Yandina are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 19.5 km and 16.5 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Yandina runs $926 a year cheaper than Bridges, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,616.
Over 10 years, Yandina costs about $10,600 less to run than Bridges. That's about $20 a week.
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Yandina
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bridges | Yandina | 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 | $4,577 | +$576 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,400 | $2,050 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $1,800 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,418 | $10,492 | +$926 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,457 | $6,107 | +$350 |
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 | Yandina | 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 Yandina (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Yandina costs $926 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,616 in favour of Yandina.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $576 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 gap is $350 per year, $6,457 from Bridges versus $6,107 from Yandina.
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 Yandina by $576 a year, $4,577 against $5,153.
- Building insurance favours Yandina by $350 a year, $2,050 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 | Yandina cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,418 | $10,492 | $926 |
| Year 3 | $35,292 | $32,430 | $2,862 |
| Year 5 | $60,620 | $55,703 | $4,917 |
| Year 10 | $130,895 | $120,279 | $10,616 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bridges or Yandina cheaper to live in?
Yandina is cheaper to run by car at $10,492 per year versus $11,418 for Bridges, a difference of $926 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bridges and Yandina?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Bridges (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Yandina (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Bridges and $2,094 in Yandina. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bridges and Yandina?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,153 from Bridges and $4,577 from Yandina to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bridges and $192 from Yandina.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bridges and Yandina?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bridges costs a cumulative $130,895 and Yandina costs $120,279 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,616 in favour of Yandina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bridges and Yandina 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.