Queanbeyan East vs The Ridgeway: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Queanbeyan East and The Ridgeway are both Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The Ridgeway runs $700 a year cheaper than Queanbeyan East, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,025.
Over 10 years, The Ridgeway costs about $8,000 less to run than Queanbeyan East — the same as paying $8,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Queanbeyan East
The Ridgeway
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Queanbeyan East | The Ridgeway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,805 | $1,805 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,400 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $24,405 | $23,705 | +$700 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,605 | $7,905 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Queanbeyan East | The Ridgeway | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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 — Queanbeyan East vs The Ridgeway (2026-27)
What the numbers show
The Ridgeway costs $700 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,025 in favour of The Ridgeway.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year. Queanbeyan East carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $8,605 from Queanbeyan East versus $7,905 from The Ridgeway.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,805 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours The Ridgeway by $700 a year, $2,400 against $3,100.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Queanbeyan East against low in The Ridgeway, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in The Ridgeway against medium in Queanbeyan East, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Queanbeyan East cumulative | The Ridgeway cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $24,405 | $23,705 | $700 |
| Year 3 | $75,433 | $73,270 | $2,163 |
| Year 5 | $129,569 | $125,853 | $3,716 |
| Year 10 | $279,776 | $271,751 | $8,025 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Queanbeyan East or The Ridgeway cheaper to live in?
The Ridgeway is cheaper to run by car at $23,705 per year versus $24,405 for Queanbeyan East, a difference of $700 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Queanbeyan East and The Ridgeway?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,805 in Queanbeyan East (Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG) and $1,805 in The Ridgeway (Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Queanbeyan East and $1,300 in The Ridgeway. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Queanbeyan East and The Ridgeway?
Queanbeyan East carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. The Ridgeway carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Queanbeyan East and $2,400 from The Ridgeway.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Queanbeyan East and The Ridgeway?
At 3% annual cost growth, Queanbeyan East costs a cumulative $279,776 and The Ridgeway costs $271,751 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,025 in favour of The Ridgeway. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Queanbeyan East and The Ridgeway 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional rates (OLG 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.