Brisbane Airport vs Nudgee: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Brisbane Airport and Nudgee are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 12.3 km and 13 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Nudgee runs $2,538 a year cheaper than Brisbane Airport, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $29,096.
Over 10 years, Nudgee costs about $29,100 less to run than Brisbane Airport — the same as paying $29,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Nudgee
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Brisbane Airport | Nudgee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,579 | $1,579 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,517 | $3,679 | -$162 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,500 | $2,800 | +$2,700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,400 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $12,496 | $9,958 | +$2,538 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,171 | $6,471 | +$2,700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Brisbane Airport | Nudgee | 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 — Brisbane Airport vs Nudgee (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Nudgee costs $2,538 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $29,096 in favour of Nudgee.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $2,700 per year. Brisbane Airport carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $2,700 per year, $9,171 from Brisbane Airport versus $6,471 from Nudgee.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Brisbane Airport cumulative | Nudgee cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,496 | $9,958 | $2,538 |
| Year 3 | $38,624 | $30,779 | $7,845 |
| Year 5 | $66,343 | $52,868 | $13,475 |
| Year 10 | $143,253 | $114,157 | $29,096 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brisbane Airport or Nudgee cheaper to live in?
Nudgee is cheaper to run by car at $9,958 per year versus $12,496 for Brisbane Airport, a difference of $2,538 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Brisbane Airport and Nudgee?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,579 in Brisbane Airport (Brisbane City Council) and $1,579 in Nudgee (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Brisbane Airport and $1,900 in Nudgee. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Brisbane Airport and Nudgee?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,517 from Brisbane Airport and $3,679 from Nudgee to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Brisbane Airport and $192 from Nudgee.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Brisbane Airport and Nudgee?
At 3% annual cost growth, Brisbane Airport costs a cumulative $143,253 and Nudgee costs $114,157 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $29,096 in favour of Nudgee. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Brisbane Airport and Nudgee is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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Sources: Brisbane City 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.