Bilinga vs Cobaki Lakes: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bilinga (City of Gold Coast) and Cobaki Lakes (Tweed rates (OLG) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas at similar distances from Brisbane CBD (23.8 km and 668.7 km).
Bilinga runs $12,021 a year cheaper than Cobaki Lakes, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $137,807.
Over 10 years, Bilinga costs about $137,800 less to run than Cobaki Lakes — the same as paying $137,800 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Cobaki Lakes
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bilinga | Cobaki Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,359 | $1,799 | -$440 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,169 | $1,300 | +$869 |
| Commute (driving) | $5,650 | $17,600 | -$11,950 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $2,400 | -$2,208 |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,500 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $1,500 | +$700 |
| Total (driving) | $12,178 | $24,199 | -$12,021 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,720 | $8,999 | -$2,279 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: Cobaki Lakes is the average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted), Bilinga is the minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bilinga | Cobaki Lakes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $2,098 | -$122 |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,679 | -$88 |
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 — Bilinga vs Cobaki Lakes (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bilinga costs $12,021 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $137,807 in favour of Bilinga.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $11,950 per year. Cobaki Lakes is 668.7 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $2,279 per year, $6,720 from Bilinga versus $8,999 from Cobaki Lakes.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bilinga cumulative | Cobaki Lakes cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,178 | $24,199 | $12,021 |
| Year 3 | $37,641 | $74,797 | $37,156 |
| Year 5 | $64,655 | $128,476 | $63,821 |
| Year 10 | $139,607 | $277,414 | $137,807 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bilinga or Cobaki Lakes cheaper to live in?
Bilinga is cheaper to run by car at $12,178 per year versus $24,199 for Cobaki Lakes, a difference of $12,021 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bilinga and Cobaki Lakes?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,359 in Bilinga (City of Gold Coast) and $1,799 in Cobaki Lakes (Tweed rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $2,169 in Bilinga and $1,300 in Cobaki Lakes. Cobaki Lakes's figure is the average residential rate reported to the NSW Office of Local Government (IPART-uplifted); Bilinga's is the minimum residential general rate for Queensland.
How does the commute cost compare between Bilinga and Cobaki Lakes?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,650 from Bilinga and $17,600 from Cobaki Lakes to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bilinga and $2,400 from Cobaki Lakes.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bilinga and Cobaki Lakes?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bilinga costs a cumulative $139,607 and Cobaki Lakes costs $277,414 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $137,807 in favour of Bilinga. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bilinga and Cobaki Lakes is best to actually live in?
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Related comparisons
Sources: City of Gold Coast and Tweed rates (OLG 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.