Coes Creek vs West Woombye: 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 West Woombye are both Sunshine Coast Council suburbs, sitting 14.5 km and 16.4 km from Maroochydore CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Coes Creek runs $907 a year cheaper than West Woombye, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,398.
Over 10 years, Coes Creek costs about $10,400 less to run than West Woombye — the same as paying $10,400 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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West Woombye
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coes Creek | West Woombye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,771 | $1,771 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,094 | $2,094 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,149 | $4,556 | -$407 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,900 | $3,400 | -$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,000 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,914 | $11,821 | -$907 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,957 | $7,457 | -$500 |
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 | West Woombye | 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 West Woombye (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coes Creek costs $907 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,398 in favour of Coes Creek.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $6,957 from Coes Creek versus $7,457 from West Woombye.
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 $407 a year, $4,149 against $4,556.
- Building insurance favours Coes Creek by $500 a year, $2,900 against $3,400.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.8 in West Woombye against 5.6 in Coes Creek, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coes Creek cumulative | West Woombye cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,914 | $11,821 | $907 |
| Year 3 | $33,734 | $36,538 | $2,804 |
| Year 5 | $57,944 | $62,759 | $4,815 |
| Year 10 | $125,117 | $135,515 | $10,398 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coes Creek or West Woombye cheaper to live in?
Coes Creek is cheaper to run by car at $10,914 per year versus $11,821 for West Woombye, a difference of $907 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 West Woombye?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,771 in Coes Creek (Sunshine Coast Council) and $1,771 in West Woombye (Sunshine Coast Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,094 in Coes Creek and $2,094 in West Woombye. 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 West Woombye?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,149 from Coes Creek and $4,556 from West Woombye to Maroochydore CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Coes Creek and $192 from West Woombye.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coes Creek and West Woombye?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coes Creek costs a cumulative $125,117 and West Woombye costs $135,515 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,398 in favour of Coes Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coes Creek and West Woombye 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.