Alexandra Headland vs Minyama, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Alexandra Headland and Minyama are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 2.4 km and 5.8 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Alexandra Headland runs $316 a year cheaper than Minyama, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,623.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,600, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Minyama
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alexandra Headland | Minyama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $814 | $1,880 | -$1,066 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $1,550 | +$750 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,400 | $2,200 | +$1,200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,979 | $7,295 | -$316 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,357 | $5,607 | +$750 |
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 | Alexandra Headland | Minyama | 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, Alexandra Headland vs Minyama (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alexandra Headland and Minyama differ by $316 a year by car, but $750 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $1,066, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,066 per year. Minyama is 5.8 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $750 per year, $6,357 from Alexandra Headland versus $5,607 from Minyama.
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 Alexandra Headland by $1,066 a year, $814 against $1,880.
- Building insurance favours Minyama by $750 a year, $1,550 against $2,300.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Alexandra Headland against low in Minyama, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alexandra Headland cumulative | Minyama cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,979 | $7,295 | $316 |
| Year 3 | $21,571 | $22,548 | $977 |
| Year 5 | $37,052 | $38,730 | $1,678 |
| Year 10 | $80,006 | $83,629 | $3,623 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandra Headland or Minyama cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Alexandra Headland runs $6,979 a year by car and Minyama $7,295, but most of the $316 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $1,066. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alexandra Headland and Minyama?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Alexandra Headland (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Minyama (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Alexandra Headland and $2,094 in Minyama. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Alexandra Headland and Minyama?
Annual driving commute costs are $814 from Alexandra Headland and $1,880 from Minyama to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alexandra Headland and $192 from Minyama.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alexandra Headland and Minyama?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alexandra Headland costs a cumulative $80,006 and Minyama costs $83,629 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,623 in favour of Alexandra Headland. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alexandra Headland and Minyama 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.