Cooeeimbardi vs Lower Cressbrook, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cooeeimbardi and Lower Cressbrook are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 17.2 km and 18.8 km from Esk CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cooeeimbardi runs $407 a year cheaper than Lower Cressbrook, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,666.
Over 10 years, Cooeeimbardi costs about $4,700 less to run than Lower Cressbrook. That's about $9 a week.
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Lower Cressbrook
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cooeeimbardi | Lower Cressbrook | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,719 | $5,026 | -$307 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,719 | $5,026 | -$307 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,100 | -$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,300 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $9,903 | $10,310 | -$407 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,903 | $10,310 | -$407 |
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 | Cooeeimbardi | Lower Cressbrook | 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, Cooeeimbardi vs Lower Cressbrook (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cooeeimbardi costs $407 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,666 in favour of Cooeeimbardi.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $307 per year. Lower Cressbrook is 18.8 km from Esk CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $407 per year, $9,903 from Cooeeimbardi versus $10,310 from Lower Cressbrook.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,284 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cooeeimbardi by $307 a year, $4,719 against $5,026.
- Building insurance favours Cooeeimbardi by $100 a year, $2,000 against $2,100.
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 | Cooeeimbardi cumulative | Lower Cressbrook cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,903 | $10,310 | $407 |
| Year 3 | $30,609 | $31,867 | $1,258 |
| Year 5 | $52,576 | $54,737 | $2,161 |
| Year 10 | $113,527 | $118,193 | $4,666 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooeeimbardi or Lower Cressbrook cheaper to live in?
Cooeeimbardi is cheaper to run by car at $9,903 per year versus $10,310 for Lower Cressbrook, a difference of $407 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cooeeimbardi and Lower Cressbrook?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Cooeeimbardi (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,284 in Lower Cressbrook (Somerset Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Cooeeimbardi and $1,900 in Lower Cressbrook. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cooeeimbardi and Lower Cressbrook?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,719 from Cooeeimbardi and $5,026 from Lower Cressbrook to Esk CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cooeeimbardi and Lower Cressbrook?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cooeeimbardi costs a cumulative $113,527 and Lower Cressbrook costs $118,193 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,666 in favour of Cooeeimbardi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cooeeimbardi and Lower Cressbrook suits you better?
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Sources: Somerset Regional Council and Somerset Regional 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.