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.
Lark Hill runs $382 a year cheaper than Coolana, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,379.
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 →Coolana
Lark Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Coolana | Lark Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,284 | $1,284 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,804 | $6,922 | -$118 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,400 | $2,900 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $13,388 | $13,006 | +$382 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,776 | $6,276 | +$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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
Lark Hill costs $382 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,379 in favour of Lark Hill.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $6,776 from Coolana versus $6,276 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 $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 6.1 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 | $13,388 | $13,006 | $382 |
| Year 3 | $41,381 | $40,200 | $1,181 |
| Year 5 | $71,079 | $69,051 | $2,028 |
| Year 10 | $153,478 | $149,099 | $4,379 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolana or Lark Hill cheaper to live in?
Lark Hill is cheaper to run by car at $13,006 per year versus $13,388 for Coolana, a difference of $382 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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). Public transport costs $192 from Coolana and $192 from Lark Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Coolana and Lark Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Coolana costs a cumulative $153,478 and Lark Hill costs $149,099 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,379 in favour of Lark Hill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Coolana and Lark Hill 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.