Alexandra Headland vs Mooloolaba, 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 Mooloolaba are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 2.4 km and 4.2 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $223 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,600, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Mooloolaba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Alexandra Headland | Mooloolaba | 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 | $1,391 | -$577 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,300 | $1,500 | +$800 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $3,400 | $3,200 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $6,979 | $6,756 | +$223 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,357 | $5,557 | +$800 |
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 | Mooloolaba | 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 Mooloolaba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba differ by $223 a year by car, but $800 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 $577, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $800 per year.
On public transport the gap is $800 per year, $6,357 from Alexandra Headland versus $5,557 from Mooloolaba.
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 $577 a year, $814 against $1,391.
- Building insurance favours Mooloolaba by $800 a year, $1,500 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 medium in Mooloolaba, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Alexandra Headland cumulative | Mooloolaba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6,979 | $6,756 | $223 |
| Year 3 | $21,571 | $20,882 | $689 |
| Year 5 | $37,052 | $35,869 | $1,183 |
| Year 10 | $80,006 | $77,450 | $2,556 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexandra Headland or Mooloolaba cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Alexandra Headland runs $6,979 a year by car and Mooloolaba $6,756, but most of the $223 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $577. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Alexandra Headland (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Mooloolaba (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Alexandra Headland and $2,094 in Mooloolaba. 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 Mooloolaba?
Annual driving commute costs are $814 from Alexandra Headland and $1,391 from Mooloolaba to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Alexandra Headland and $192 from Mooloolaba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Alexandra Headland costs a cumulative $80,006 and Mooloolaba costs $77,450 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,556 in favour of Mooloolaba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba 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.