Chevallum vs Palmwoods, 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 Palmwoods are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 11.1 km and 14.2 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Chevallum runs $892 a year cheaper than Palmwoods, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,226.
Over 10 years, Chevallum costs about $10,200 less to run than Palmwoods. That's about $20 a week.
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Palmwoods
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Chevallum | Palmwoods | 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 | $4,082 | -$742 |
| 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 | $10,097 | -$892 |
| 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 | Palmwoods | 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 Palmwoods (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Chevallum costs $892 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,226 in favour of Chevallum.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $742 per year. Palmwoods is 14.2 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 $892 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 Chevallum by $742 a year, $3,340 against $4,082.
- 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 | Palmwoods cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,205 | $10,097 | $892 |
| Year 3 | $28,452 | $31,209 | $2,757 |
| Year 5 | $48,871 | $53,606 | $4,735 |
| Year 10 | $105,525 | $115,751 | $10,226 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chevallum or Palmwoods cheaper to live in?
Chevallum is cheaper to run by car at $9,205 per year versus $10,097 for Palmwoods, a difference of $892 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Chevallum and Palmwoods?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Chevallum (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Palmwoods (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Chevallum and $2,094 in Palmwoods. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Chevallum and Palmwoods?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,340 from Chevallum and $4,082 from Palmwoods to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Chevallum and $192 from Palmwoods.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Chevallum and Palmwoods?
At 3% annual cost growth, Chevallum costs a cumulative $105,525 and Palmwoods costs $115,751 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,226 in favour of Chevallum. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Chevallum and Palmwoods 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.