Coes Creek vs Towen Mountain: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coes Creek and Towen Mountain are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 14.5 km and 16.7 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Coes Creek runs $568 a year cheaper than Towen Mountain, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,511.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Coes Creek
Towen Mountain
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coes Creek | Towen Mountain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,149 | $4,617 | -$468 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,000 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,700 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $10,914 | $11,482 | -$568 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,957 | $7,057 | -$100 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Coes Creek | Towen Mountain | 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 — Coes Creek vs Towen Mountain (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coes Creek costs $568 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,511 in favour of Coes Creek.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $468 per year. Towen Mountain is 16.7 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, $6,957 and $7,057 a year, so the $568 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 Coes Creek by $468 a year, $4,149 against $4,617.
- Building insurance favours Coes Creek by $100 a year, $2,900 against $3,000.
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 | Coes Creek cumulative | Towen Mountain cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,914 | $11,482 | $568 |
| Year 3 | $33,734 | $35,490 | $1,756 |
| Year 5 | $57,944 | $60,959 | $3,015 |
| Year 10 | $125,117 | $131,628 | $6,511 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coes Creek or Towen Mountain cheaper to live in?
Coes Creek is cheaper to run by car at $10,914 per year versus $11,482 for Towen Mountain, a difference of $568 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coes Creek and Towen Mountain?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Coes Creek (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in Towen Mountain (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Coes Creek and $2,094 in Towen Mountain. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Coes Creek and Towen Mountain?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,149 from Coes Creek and $4,617 from Towen Mountain to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Coes Creek and $192 from Towen Mountain.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coes Creek and Towen Mountain?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coes Creek costs a cumulative $125,117 and Towen Mountain costs $131,628 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,511 in favour of Coes Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coes Creek and Towen Mountain 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.