Boreen Point vs Cootharaba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boreen Point and Cootharaba are both Noosa Council suburbs, sitting 16.2 km and 19 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Boreen Point runs $530 a year cheaper than Cootharaba, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,076.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Boreen Point
Cootharaba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boreen Point | Cootharaba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,540 | $1,540 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,366 | $4,896 | -$530 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $3,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,100 | $11,630 | -$530 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,926 | $6,926 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Boreen Point | Cootharaba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $1,976 | $1,976 | - |
| Unit | $1,591 | $1,591 | - |
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 — Boreen Point vs Cootharaba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boreen Point costs $530 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,076 in favour of Boreen Point.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $530 per year. Cootharaba is 19 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,926 and $6,926 a year, so the $530 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boreen Point cumulative | Cootharaba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,100 | $11,630 | $530 |
| Year 3 | $34,309 | $35,947 | $1,638 |
| Year 5 | $58,931 | $61,745 | $2,814 |
| Year 10 | $127,249 | $133,325 | $6,076 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boreen Point or Cootharaba cheaper to live in?
Boreen Point is cheaper to run by car at $11,100 per year versus $11,630 for Cootharaba, a difference of $530 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boreen Point and Cootharaba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,540 in Boreen Point (Noosa Council) and $1,540 in Cootharaba (Noosa Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Boreen Point and $2,094 in Cootharaba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boreen Point and Cootharaba?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,366 from Boreen Point and $4,896 from Cootharaba to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Boreen Point and $192 from Cootharaba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boreen Point and Cootharaba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boreen Point costs a cumulative $127,249 and Cootharaba costs $133,325 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,076 in favour of Boreen Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boreen Point and Cootharaba 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: Noosa Council and Noosa Council 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.