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 $336 a year cheaper than Somerset Dam, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,852.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,900, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Somerset Dam
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cooeeimbardi | Somerset Dam | 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 | $4,855 | -$136 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,719 | $4,855 | -$136 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,903 | $10,239 | -$336 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,903 | $10,239 | -$336 |
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 | 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 and Somerset Dam differ by $336 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $136, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $336 per year, $9,903 from Cooeeimbardi versus $10,239 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 $200 a year, $2,000 against $2,200.
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 | $9,903 | $10,239 | $336 |
| Year 3 | $30,609 | $31,648 | $1,039 |
| Year 5 | $52,576 | $54,360 | $1,784 |
| Year 10 | $113,527 | $117,379 | $3,852 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooeeimbardi or Somerset Dam cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Cooeeimbardi runs $9,903 a year by car and Somerset Dam $10,239, but most of the $336 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $136. 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). 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 Somerset Dam?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cooeeimbardi costs a cumulative $113,527 and Somerset Dam costs $117,379 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,852 in favour of Cooeeimbardi. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cooeeimbardi and Somerset Dam 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.