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 $3,481 a year cheaper than Booroobin, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $39,906.
Over 10 years, Cedarton costs about $39,900 less to run than Booroobin — the same as paying $39,900 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 →Booroobin
Cedarton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Booroobin | Cedarton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,309 | +$462 |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,144 | -$50 |
| Commute (driving) | $6,884 | $3,115 | +$3,769 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $3,900 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,800 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,949 | $10,468 | +$3,481 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,257 | $7,545 | -$288 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $3,481 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $39,906 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 gap is $288 per year, $7,257 from Booroobin versus $7,545 from Cedarton.
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 $700 a year, $3,200 against $3,900.
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 | $13,949 | $10,468 | $3,481 |
| Year 3 | $43,115 | $32,356 | $10,759 |
| Year 5 | $74,057 | $55,576 | $18,481 |
| Year 10 | $159,910 | $120,004 | $39,906 |
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 $10,468 per year versus $13,949 for Booroobin, a difference of $3,481 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 $159,910 and Cedarton costs $120,004 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $39,906 in favour of Cedarton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Booroobin and Cedarton 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.
Related comparisons
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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.