Boreen Point vs Cootharaba, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boreen Point and Cootharaba are both Noosa Council suburbs, sitting 16.2 km and 19 km from Noosa CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Boreen Point runs $548 a year cheaper than Cootharaba, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,283.
Over 10 years, Boreen Point costs about $6,300 less to run than Cootharaba. That's about $12 a week.
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Cootharaba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boreen Point | Cootharaba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,540 | $1,540 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,515 | $5,063 | -$548 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,299 | $10,847 | -$548 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,976 | $5,976 | - |
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 | Boreen Point | Cootharaba | 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, Boreen Point vs Cootharaba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boreen Point costs $548 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,283 in favour of Boreen Point.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $548 per year. Cootharaba is 19 km from Noosa CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,976 and $5,976 a year, so the $548 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,540 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,094 a year.
- Driving commute favours Boreen Point by $548 a year, $4,515 against $5,063.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boreen Point cumulative | Cootharaba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,299 | $10,847 | $548 |
| Year 3 | $31,833 | $33,527 | $1,694 |
| Year 5 | $54,679 | $57,588 | $2,909 |
| Year 10 | $118,066 | $124,349 | $6,283 |
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 $10,299 per year versus $10,847 for Cootharaba, a difference of $548 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/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 $4,515 from Boreen Point and $5,063 from Cootharaba to Noosa CBD (ATO 91c/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 $118,066 and Cootharaba costs $124,349 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,283 in favour of Boreen Point. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boreen Point and Cootharaba suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.