Cooeeimbardi vs Somerset Dam: 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 Somerset Dam are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 17.2 km and 17.9 km from Esk CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cooeeimbardi runs $486 a year cheaper than Somerset Dam, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,572.
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 →Cooeeimbardi
Somerset Dam
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cooeeimbardi | Somerset Dam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,719 | $4,855 | -$136 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,200 | -$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,753 | $11,239 | -$486 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,226 | $6,576 | -$350 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cooeeimbardi | Somerset Dam | 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 Somerset Dam (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cooeeimbardi costs $486 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,572 in favour of Cooeeimbardi.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the gap is $350 per year, $6,226 from Cooeeimbardi versus $6,576 from Somerset Dam.
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 $136 a year, $4,719 against $4,855.
- Building insurance favours Cooeeimbardi by $350 a year, $2,850 against $3,200.
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 | Somerset Dam cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,753 | $11,239 | $486 |
| Year 3 | $33,236 | $34,739 | $1,503 |
| Year 5 | $57,089 | $59,669 | $2,580 |
| Year 10 | $123,271 | $128,843 | $5,572 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooeeimbardi or Somerset Dam cheaper to live in?
Cooeeimbardi is cheaper to run by car at $10,753 per year versus $11,239 for Somerset Dam, a difference of $486 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cooeeimbardi and Somerset Dam?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Cooeeimbardi (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,284 in Somerset Dam (Somerset Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Cooeeimbardi and $1,900 in Somerset Dam. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cooeeimbardi and Somerset Dam?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,719 from Cooeeimbardi and $4,855 from Somerset Dam to Esk CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cooeeimbardi and $192 from Somerset Dam.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cooeeimbardi and Somerset Dam?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cooeeimbardi costs a cumulative $123,271 and Somerset Dam costs $128,843 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,572 in favour of Cooeeimbardi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cooeeimbardi and Somerset Dam 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.