Birtinya vs Warana: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Birtinya and Warana are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 10.6 km and 8.6 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Warana runs $831 a year cheaper than Birtinya, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,526.
Over 10 years, Warana costs about $9,500 less to run than Birtinya — the same as paying $9,500 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 →Birtinya
Warana
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Birtinya | Warana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,213 | $2,682 | +$531 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,178 | $9,347 | +$831 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,157 | $6,857 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Birtinya | Warana | 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 — Birtinya vs Warana (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Warana costs $831 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,526 in favour of Warana.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $531 per year. Birtinya is 10.6 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,157 from Birtinya versus $6,857 from Warana.
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 Warana by $531 a year, $2,682 against $3,213.
- Building insurance favours Warana by $300 a year, $2,800 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 commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Birtinya cumulative | Warana cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,178 | $9,347 | $831 |
| Year 3 | $31,459 | $28,891 | $2,568 |
| Year 5 | $54,036 | $49,624 | $4,412 |
| Year 10 | $116,679 | $107,153 | $9,526 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Birtinya or Warana cheaper to live in?
Warana is cheaper to run by car at $9,347 per year versus $10,178 for Birtinya, a difference of $831 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Birtinya and Warana?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Birtinya (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Warana (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Birtinya and $2,094 in Warana. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Birtinya and Warana?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,213 from Birtinya and $2,682 from Warana to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Birtinya and $192 from Warana.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Birtinya and Warana?
At 3% annual cost growth, Birtinya costs a cumulative $116,679 and Warana costs $107,153 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,526 in favour of Warana. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Birtinya and Warana 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.