Buddina vs Mooloolaba: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Buddina and Mooloolaba are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 6.4 km and 4.2 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Mooloolaba runs $967 a year cheaper than Buddina, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,086.
Over 10 years, Mooloolaba costs about $11,100 less to run than Buddina — the same as paying $11,100 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Mooloolaba
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Buddina | Mooloolaba | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,058 | $1,391 | +$667 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,400 | $2,100 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $3,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $8,323 | $7,356 | +$967 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,457 | $6,157 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Buddina | Mooloolaba | 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 — Buddina vs Mooloolaba (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Mooloolaba costs $967 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,086 in favour of Mooloolaba.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $667 per year. Buddina is 6.4 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, $6,457 from Buddina versus $6,157 from Mooloolaba.
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 Mooloolaba by $667 a year, $1,391 against $2,058.
- Building insurance favours Mooloolaba by $300 a year, $2,100 against $2,400.
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 | Buddina cumulative | Mooloolaba cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,323 | $7,356 | $967 |
| Year 3 | $25,726 | $22,737 | $2,989 |
| Year 5 | $44,188 | $39,054 | $5,134 |
| Year 10 | $95,414 | $84,328 | $11,086 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buddina or Mooloolaba cheaper to live in?
Mooloolaba is cheaper to run by car at $7,356 per year versus $8,323 for Buddina, a difference of $967 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Buddina and Mooloolaba?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Buddina (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Mooloolaba (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Buddina and $2,094 in Mooloolaba. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Buddina and Mooloolaba?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,058 from Buddina and $1,391 from Mooloolaba to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Buddina and $192 from Mooloolaba.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Buddina and Mooloolaba?
At 3% annual cost growth, Buddina costs a cumulative $95,414 and Mooloolaba costs $84,328 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,086 in favour of Mooloolaba. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Buddina and Mooloolaba 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.