Caloundra vs Moffat 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 Moffat Beach are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 16.7 km and 16.3 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Moffat Beach runs $781 a year cheaper than Caloundra, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,953.
Over 10 years, Moffat Beach costs about $9,000 less to run than Caloundra — the same as paying $9,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Moffat Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Caloundra | Moffat Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,617 | $4,536 | +$81 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $2,200 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,382 | $10,601 | +$781 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,957 | $6,257 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Caloundra | Moffat 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 Moffat Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Moffat Beach costs $781 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,953 in favour of Moffat Beach.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $6,957 from Caloundra versus $6,257 from Moffat 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 Moffat Beach by $81 a year, $4,536 against $4,617.
- Building insurance favours Moffat Beach by $700 a year, $2,200 against $2,900.
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 medium in Moffat Beach, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Caloundra cumulative | Moffat Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,382 | $10,601 | $781 |
| Year 3 | $35,181 | $32,767 | $2,414 |
| Year 5 | $60,429 | $56,282 | $4,147 |
| Year 10 | $130,482 | $121,529 | $8,953 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caloundra or Moffat Beach cheaper to live in?
Moffat Beach is cheaper to run by car at $10,601 per year versus $11,382 for Caloundra, a difference of $781 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Caloundra and Moffat Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Caloundra (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Moffat Beach (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Caloundra and $2,094 in Moffat 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 Moffat Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,617 from Caloundra and $4,536 from Moffat Beach to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Caloundra and $192 from Moffat Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Caloundra and Moffat Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Caloundra costs a cumulative $130,482 and Moffat Beach costs $121,529 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,953 in favour of Moffat Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Caloundra and Moffat Beach 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.
Related comparisons
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.