Booroobin vs Cedarton, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Booroobin (Sunshine Coast Council) and Cedarton (Moreton Bay Regional Council) attract comparison from buyers considering suburbs across different council areas.
Cedarton runs $3,681 a year cheaper than Booroobin, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $42,199.
Over 10 years, Cedarton costs about $42,200 less to run than Booroobin. That's about $81 a week.
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Cedarton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Booroobin | Cedarton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,309 | +$462 |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,144 | -$50 |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,884 | $3,115 | +$3,769 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,700 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,949 | $9,268 | +$3,681 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,257 | $6,345 | -$88 |
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 | Booroobin | Cedarton | 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, Booroobin vs Cedarton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cedarton costs $3,681 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $42,199 in favour of Cedarton.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $3,769 per year. Cedarton is 71.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,257 and $6,345 a year, so the $3,681 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates favours Cedarton by $462 a year, $1,309 against $1,771.
- Water and sewerage favours Booroobin by $50 a year, $2,094 against $2,144.
- Driving commute favours Cedarton by $3,769 a year, $3,115 against $6,884.
- Building insurance favours Booroobin by $500 a year, $2,200 against $2,700.
They sit in different council areas, so the rates line is set by two different councils. For QLD that figure is the minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied principal place of residence, a floor rather than a typical bill.
Flood risk is rated medium in Cedarton against low in Booroobin, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.2 in Booroobin against 6 in Cedarton, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Booroobin cumulative | Cedarton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,949 | $9,268 | $3,681 |
| Year 3 | $40,024 | $28,646 | $11,378 |
| Year 5 | $68,748 | $49,205 | $19,543 |
| Year 10 | $148,446 | $106,247 | $42,199 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Booroobin or Cedarton cheaper to live in?
Cedarton is cheaper to run by car at $9,268 per year versus $12,949 for Booroobin, a difference of $3,681 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Booroobin and Cedarton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Booroobin (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,309 in Cedarton (Moreton Bay Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Booroobin and $2,144 in Cedarton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Booroobin and Cedarton?
Booroobin is $6,884 a year to drive to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Cedarton is $3,115 a year to drive to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Booroobin and $192 from Cedarton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Booroobin and Cedarton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Booroobin costs a cumulative $148,446 and Cedarton costs $106,247 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $42,199 in favour of Cedarton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Booroobin and Cedarton suits you better?
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Sources: Sunshine Coast Council and Moreton Bay Regional 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.