Coolana vs Lark Hill, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Coolana and Lark Hill are both Somerset Regional Council suburbs, sitting 33.5 km and 36.1 km from Esk CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $232 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,700, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Lark Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coolana | Lark Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,804 | $6,922 | -$118 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,804 | $6,922 | -$118 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,000 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $12,338 | $12,106 | +$232 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,338 | $12,106 | +$232 |
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 | Coolana | Lark Hill | 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, Coolana vs Lark Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Coolana and Lark Hill differ by $232 a year by car, but $350 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 $118, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $350 per year.
On public transport the gap is $232 per year, $12,338 from Coolana versus $12,106 from Lark Hill.
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 Coolana by $118 a year, $6,804 against $6,922.
- Building insurance favours Lark Hill by $350 a year, $2,000 against $2,350.
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 6.1 in Lark Hill against 5 in Coolana, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Coolana cumulative | Lark Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,338 | $12,106 | $232 |
| Year 3 | $38,136 | $37,418 | $718 |
| Year 5 | $65,504 | $64,272 | $1,232 |
| Year 10 | $141,441 | $138,782 | $2,659 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolana or Lark Hill cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Coolana runs $12,338 a year by car and Lark Hill $12,106, but most of the $232 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $118. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Coolana and Lark Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,284 in Coolana (Somerset Regional Council) and $1,284 in Lark Hill (Somerset Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Coolana and $1,900 in Lark Hill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Coolana and Lark Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,804 from Coolana and $6,922 from Lark Hill 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 Coolana and Lark Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coolana costs a cumulative $141,441 and Lark Hill costs $138,782 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,659 in favour of Lark Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coolana and Lark Hill 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.