Buddina vs Parrearra, 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 Parrearra are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 6.4 km and 7.3 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Buddina runs $760 a year cheaper than Parrearra, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,712.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $8,700, about $17 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Parrearra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Buddina | Parrearra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,058 | $2,318 | -$260 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,800 | $2,300 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,800 | $2,200 | +$600 |
| Total (driving) | $7,723 | $8,483 | -$760 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,857 | $6,357 | -$500 |
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 | Buddina | Parrearra | 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 Parrearra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Buddina and Parrearra differ by $760 a year by car, but $500 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $260, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $5,857 from Buddina versus $6,357 from Parrearra.
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 Buddina by $260 a year, $2,058 against $2,318.
- Building insurance favours Buddina by $500 a year, $1,800 against $2,300.
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.
Fire risk is rated high in Parrearra against medium in Buddina, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Buddina cumulative | Parrearra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,723 | $8,483 | $760 |
| Year 3 | $23,871 | $26,220 | $2,349 |
| Year 5 | $41,002 | $45,037 | $4,035 |
| Year 10 | $88,536 | $97,248 | $8,712 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buddina or Parrearra cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Buddina runs $7,723 a year by car and Parrearra $8,483, but most of the $760 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $260. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Buddina and Parrearra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Buddina (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Parrearra (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Buddina and $2,094 in Parrearra. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Buddina and Parrearra?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,058 from Buddina and $2,318 from Parrearra to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Buddina and $192 from Parrearra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Buddina and Parrearra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Buddina costs a cumulative $88,536 and Parrearra costs $97,248 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,712 in favour of Buddina. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Buddina and Parrearra suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.