Chevallum vs Forest Glen, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Chevallum and Forest Glen are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 11.1 km and 8.3 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Forest Glen runs $590 a year cheaper than Chevallum, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,764.
Over 10 years, Forest Glen costs about $6,800 less to run than Chevallum. That's about $13 a week.
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Forest Glen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chevallum | Forest Glen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,340 | $2,600 | +$740 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,150 | -$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,205 | $8,615 | +$590 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,057 | $6,207 | -$150 |
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 | Chevallum | Forest Glen | 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, Chevallum vs Forest Glen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forest Glen costs $590 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,764 in favour of Forest Glen.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $740 per year. Chevallum is 11.1 km from Maroochydore CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,057 and $6,207 a year, so the $590 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Forest Glen by $740 a year, $2,600 against $3,340.
- Building insurance favours Chevallum by $150 a year, $2,000 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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Chevallum cumulative | Forest Glen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,205 | $8,615 | $590 |
| Year 3 | $28,452 | $26,628 | $1,824 |
| Year 5 | $48,871 | $45,738 | $3,133 |
| Year 10 | $105,525 | $98,761 | $6,764 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chevallum or Forest Glen cheaper to live in?
Forest Glen is cheaper to run by car at $8,615 per year versus $9,205 for Chevallum, a difference of $590 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chevallum and Forest Glen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Chevallum (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Forest Glen (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Chevallum and $2,094 in Forest Glen. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chevallum and Forest Glen?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,340 from Chevallum and $2,600 from Forest Glen to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chevallum and $192 from Forest Glen.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chevallum and Forest Glen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chevallum costs a cumulative $105,525 and Forest Glen costs $98,761 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,764 in favour of Forest Glen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chevallum and Forest Glen 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.