Caloundra vs Kings Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Caloundra and Kings Beach are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 16.7 km and 17.4 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kings Beach runs $459 a year cheaper than Caloundra, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,262.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $5,300, about $10 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Kings Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caloundra | Kings Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,617 | $4,758 | -$141 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $1,550 | +$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,800 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $10,632 | $10,173 | +$459 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,207 | $5,607 | +$600 |
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 | Caloundra | Kings Beach | 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, Caloundra vs Kings Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Caloundra and Kings Beach differ by $459 a year by car, but $600 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 $141, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $6,207 from Caloundra versus $5,607 from Kings Beach.
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 Caloundra by $141 a year, $4,617 against $4,758.
- Building insurance favours Kings Beach by $600 a year, $1,550 against $2,150.
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 Caloundra against low in Kings Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caloundra cumulative | Kings Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,632 | $10,173 | $459 |
| Year 3 | $32,862 | $31,444 | $1,418 |
| Year 5 | $56,447 | $54,010 | $2,437 |
| Year 10 | $121,884 | $116,622 | $5,262 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caloundra or Kings Beach cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Caloundra runs $10,632 a year by car and Kings Beach $10,173, but most of the $459 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $141. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caloundra and Kings Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Caloundra (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Kings Beach (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Caloundra and $2,094 in Kings Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Caloundra and Kings Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,617 from Caloundra and $4,758 from Kings Beach to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Caloundra and $192 from Kings Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caloundra and Kings Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caloundra costs a cumulative $121,884 and Kings Beach costs $116,622 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,262 in favour of Kings Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caloundra and Kings Beach 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.